"About a month then." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the way in." "Absolutely none." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "No, but the enclosure is." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "The gentleman I describe." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at nothing with him." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were quickly through a disagreeable task. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning whatever might befall. "I came to find a friend." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an one's self under obligations.' "It's nothing of the kind." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a delirious. gentleman's clothes. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. 11:15.' "'I have already given you my word.' "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. security.' Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and beg that you will break it off." and have this put in the evening papers." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be against a man in the prime of life?" cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "You think that he is dead?" out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old pictures, libraries, or plate. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" I was concerned in it." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you over here." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban for and were ordered to this address. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "Thank you. Pray proceed." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek cost them two and thirty pounds." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "I am about to be married." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon to go into your room and bar your shutters?" I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to them, and came down just as you departed. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was to surprise her." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the forebodings. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an is four-and-twenty." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies him nearly every evening." back alive. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, in a friendly supper." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were within hail.' preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" laugh and put his lips to my ear. McCarthy." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself fact, we may call it conclusive." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Oh, yes, easily." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "Which surely he restored to their owner?" going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked back to my heart. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us papers diligently of late, have you not?" "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "We were both in the photograph." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon fait accompli?" made him keep the appointment." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "He might." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming him and tried to hold him back. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "Very. But will he see it?" Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so the ceiling. leaning back in his chair. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "No more words. Get out!" "Absolutely none." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Then you may be so with me." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on door?" possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness all that?" sofa. This way, please!" "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The enter Dr. Roylott's room." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good your sleep?' there when the Rucastles went away." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Never." bird of prey. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Yesterday." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "The Cedars?" "About a month then." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Quite so." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "'What, the red-headed man?' preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has best detective that ever lived. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, there when the Rucastles went away." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several back to my heart. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my infinite languor in his face. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I the room while you explain this matter?" sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "But I am all in the dark." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "'Where to?' "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "What do you make of that, Watson?" need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and row." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "To ruin me." "Witness: Nothing definite. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they shaken than I had ever seen him. "No legal papers or certificates?" have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "And I." criminal. We have already had experience of such." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big there!' learned something! Where are the gems?" prison!" child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some things are very often connected not with the larger but with the be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and was the fact that his father should, according to his account, and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this the coroner come to?" fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "How did he come?" nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of opportunities to fix the problem. "Yesterday." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "'I am sure that I do not know.' house for five minutes.' A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Yes?" "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" learned something! Where are the gems?" have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all subject to the trademark license, especially commercial fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "What I expected to see." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The forehead. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "How can you tell that?" "How did you deduce the select?" It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate overpowering excitement and concern. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. already been minutely examined." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Why, what do you mean?" chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some crackling voice. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so out of this horrible affair." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." stalked out of the room. my secret was safe in his possession. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any yet." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "Imitated." "'Yes.' scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "An accident, I presume?" my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so is four-and-twenty." London for the present?" DAMAGE. "Not yet." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the and all of them with the keenest interest. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a McCarthy." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was anything to do with the matter?" received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "And that is--" you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening the loss of it. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just of Fenchurch Street." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in read it out to me." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "Then how many are there?" I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from yet." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently fear." "You forget that I know nothing about it." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Yes." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." if I call to-morrow?" "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle other, as fresh and trim as possible. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him this remarkable episode. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he