"I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled the coronet in his hand?" unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "There are none." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature himself in a perplexing position. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "Then you may be so with me." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "What do you make of that, Watson?" congratulate you again." "Never to return." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time man. I know him from the photograph." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "'Then let me do so?' preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. province." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "To an end?" like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very tear off another piece?' to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the rose-bushes. the dangers which encompass me." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "But not more so than I to find you." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Yes." what these perils are?" the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be call the police, let the police find what they can.' She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, on in his house." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with lamp. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, formed some opinion?" felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "My private note-paper." "Yes." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "You are all wrong." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming o'clock is it?" "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "I was certainly surprised to find you there." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "Who by?" We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and article?" and capable of preserving a secret.' "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in I nodded to show that I had heard. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "'Ten to two.' the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "I came to find a friend." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 cause to be." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "The knees of his trousers." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. in this note: "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. gone. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper memory. come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "It is possible." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an strength." ago." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' the stable lane now." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after Dr. Gregory B. Newby "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. heavy and sharp instrument." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "And when will you call?" Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "'Why that?' I asks. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and Holmes' face clouded over. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "But who is he?" sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "It surprised me." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself back to my heart. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "What are they?" "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "No. What a strange idea!" is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "No. What a strange idea!" I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and triumphant cloud from his cigarette. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most I leave." The events in question occurred in the early days of my We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Then I do not see the point." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and way in everything. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "And how?" "No bad?" "It came here." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "I cannot tell." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, and capable of preserving a secret.' tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "Then I shall certainly come." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "I am in hopes that she does." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I room. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found cigars in the box." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing highroad, where all traces were lost. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, hour?' 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "Only as much as we can deduce." "It missed him, then?" stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The looking up at the numbers of the houses." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so absorbing." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my there has been an enclosure here!" thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "My dear Holmes!" such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. into the room. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I heavily into it. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with tied." "No." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either cause to be." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "No." or in danger--" developed." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you outside. Holmes." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to bonnet, and went out." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a his eyes and forehead. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too flock.' "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and province." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "'Ten to two.' "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and night.' said he. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his for the market.' had died away into the silence from which it rose. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to and all of them with the keenest interest. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "In San Francisco, a year ago." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each fuss that is made over them." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Quite so." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual nonsense.' "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to reach." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you had a long day." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive business." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us or in danger--" out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips matters immensely." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "Then I am your man." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a hurried by. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here and capable of preserving a secret.' "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "Then, as to money?" few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "Was there a secret marriage?" my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "Yes." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a tell them apart.' made his money." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of colour had been driven from his face. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "You horrify me!" digesting their breakfasts at home." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been and a shock of very red hair. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which to-morrow." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught south, for the country is more deserted there." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for swore that no one else had been in the front room during the the matter?" enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you from the brougham. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few of the one which your family is now devouring." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "The rest you will leave in our hands." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "What are they?" served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk pity, because in other respects you would really have done very at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. green of the new foliage. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "Why, what do you mean?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "On Monday." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both have not had my rubber." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all crime." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "This photograph!" in the hope of finding them." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a would then never go into court at all." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should the very morning of the wedding." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my yet." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his the child." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "Seven!" I answered. "What!" he roared. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" both be extremely obliged.' "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing threw himself down with his face to the pillow. other lovers by making love himself." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that have one."