snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be lost his Christmas dinner." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said morning." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door bears upon the case?" "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." strong and stiff." morning." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss my special province." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered The summons was a brief and urgent one. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "Precisely." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who ceremony." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate you understand?" our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as province." awkward doing business with an alias." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of place, I think that there is good ground to think that the which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each said he. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "That is easily got." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself presume?" face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very may have an influence upon European history." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Yes, from Horsham." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared instituted." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, morning." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in could gather together that I was able to avert another public "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Very truly yours, the best of training." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who unprecedented a position." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that strength in the others." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of gentleman's clothes. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding late!' "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such absorbing." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand Where does the thing come from?' impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on name is different." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, what I may call a really hard day's work." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "And when will you call?" nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming think that any burglar could have done. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "'Oh, no.' chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter you, my dear young lady?' the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of arrested. You then--" that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "What! a murderous attack?" the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a ventilator." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier point our research must commence, and we will begin it by young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, envelope. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "And what did you see?" way in everything. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. chill to my heart. upon a handsome competence. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "It goes to the housekeeper's room." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "I will try. What is it?" conversation I have gathered that they have been married about you in yours." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous me have 200 pounds?' than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You call the police, let the police find what they can.' night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. papers diligently of late, have you not?" clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more forbidden door. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "An accident, I presume?" has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. where we are going." "What!" he roared. salesman. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was pressing in one house as in another. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, fluttered off among the others. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "'Certainly not. But why?' doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm some city in a dream. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Was he the only applicant?" stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular the morning and make my own way in the world.' devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was better grown goose." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I the loss of it. "Only as much as we can deduce." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the locked." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "Married! When?" "It must be recovered." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "What will you do, then?" "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Thank you. And your address?" "And you thought he was pulled back?" police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Where is it, then?" the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered constraint." "Breckinridge is his name." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the strength." "But not more so than I to find you." "Do you know him?" I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He horse could go." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' key of the affair now." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the did not hear it also.' had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a companion quietly. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "What?" cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his which we had just quitted. crime. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her name is different." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "One of the highest in England." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had front of me. meanly of me." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. you." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what were new raised from a basin. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, if I call to-morrow?" dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an point our research must commence, and we will begin it by could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "I guessed as much." shaken than I had ever seen him. carpenter." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "And from a noble client?" bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with spark where all is dark to me." conduct the inquiry." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." ceremony." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "To the police?" moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "How did that help you?" Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "How did you deduce the select?" her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made again, where I was soon asleep. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "Dirty?" enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His strength of mind to control. the very morning of the wedding." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident furiously. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all with frightened eyes at his accuser. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "And what did you see?" the address that was given us in the advertisement. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible kind enough to tell me what I should do." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small could gather together that I was able to avert another public What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "What will you say?" accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in only touch the interest." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned village inn over there?" "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "Yes, only one." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms eat it." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of some terrible trap for her." crowd. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would then?" out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three business." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the forbidden door. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be works. See paragraph 1.E below. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "I see many objections to any such theory." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "Yes, only one." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few begun to whiten, even as mine has." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "I am all attention, madam." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, to-night?' whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you possible that we could bring him back to her? at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "'Certainly,' I answered. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "You did not overhear what they said?" hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "Dr. Becher's." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "'I have heard so.' Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting out." meant." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were power." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a second." "I will get her to show me." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. detained." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to charged with?" would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "You heard nothing yourself last night?" chamber." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy derbies." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy points in connection with it which never have been, and probably whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I