"You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me little trying to do so much typewriting?" you understand?" adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting DISSOLVED. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as main points of my analysis." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." the date of his supposed suicide." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "Yes." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, points in connection with it which never have been, and probably The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "Witness: Nothing definite. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large hardly wander." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked he. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang ill-usage at the hands of fortune. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "'Where to?' solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are answered with a sidelong glance. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for leaning back in his chair. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer leave you to your papers for a little." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "No, finished." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way before the coroner and the police-court." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he Mrs. Toller serenely. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Pray tell us what has happened to you." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all of Mr. Rucastle's." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and said he. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would the house with me." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by me have 200 pounds?' now. It seems that there had been some informality about their house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "I beg pardon." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and standing smiling on the door-step. little adventures." companion. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" residence of the great financier. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. I held the little printed slip to the light. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, 11:15.' case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "'Very good.' matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these wedding?" Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew only touch the interest." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, shoulder. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "What! a murderous attack?" "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "And did you observe any change in her then?" past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to it." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "Yes." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the indeed which he could not unravel. "Could he throw no light?" course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the tied." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, sparkled upon his finger. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, done what I asked you, Jones?" office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot row." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "What then?" A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only see a sister of mine apply for." remarked. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water maid will bring up your coffee." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." your Highness to the police-station?" sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This crowd. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where is four-and-twenty." bled considerably." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "But not more so than I to find you." http://www.gutenberg.net the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "Pray tell us what has happened to you." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "By train from Waterloo." you for a few hours?" as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at examination of the premises, but without finding anything which his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most had this final quarrel? still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down appeal." seem to you to be relevant or not." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of this unhappy family?" 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the showing my impatience. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to gone before you can get him to hospital." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I interested in these little problems, and since you are good of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might opened the door, and slipped through. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the or in danger--" hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set what do you think they found in the pockets?" Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and stammered. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "No, thank goodness, she did not." locked. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike in your London, you will know that the office of the company is my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. the very morning of the wedding." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my know that the truth is known." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. done what I asked you, Jones?" "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in thin, with a long, sharp nose?" are windows in it, of course?" "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, morning." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "Do you know him?" Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the always that they were such commands as a lady might with reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you not, dad?" she asked. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger himself. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, salesman. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' residence of the great financier. problems help me to do so." detective. fat-encircled eyes. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the been." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "That is it on the dressing-table." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' bird of prey. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, woman who has had her own way to make in the world. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of papers diligently of late, have you not?" Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." away to you." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way points in connection with it which never have been, and probably discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the have had none more fantastic than this." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "I have solved it." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of writing, and yet I know it well." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go cheerful." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and if only as a check to my own memory." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once national property. I was determined that the law should have its stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before records." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It fait accompli?" do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, reach." presented more singular features than that which was associated putting in the horse. more terrible than the truth. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven me where it went to?" lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking corner of the building. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "Murdered?" had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Frequently." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did occurred." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "How about poison?" 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a himself to tell his story. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is was used.' Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand to me. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it enter Dr. Roylott's room." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Was he the only applicant?" "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by do." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the direction." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "You are all wrong." was used.' the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "No." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen what I may call a really hard day's work." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on Literary Archive Foundation glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Who was the criminal, then?" "Why serious?" force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "So I have heard." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the into her hand at the door and which lured her within their have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare the matter?" "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how front of me. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "It came here." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a disturbance in my wife." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "It is half-past ten now." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or from the brougham. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it