conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really interest. They are important, you understand, without being certainly do as you advise." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, Henry Baker is a member." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for look dissatisfied." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "Certainly." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "Murdered?" flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "How did you deduce the select?" monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "And Irene Adler?" sofa. This way, please!" outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "'What do you call purely nominal?' have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "We have tried and failed." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Why did you pick him?" Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle whatever might befall. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." appeared upon the scene." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "No sign of it?" should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Not him." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET Mrs. Toller serenely. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at several quiet little villages up there." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Yes." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and look upon these things in a different way." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." even of instruction." dear old homesteads?" with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "I saw her in conversation with her maid." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely But Holmes shook his head gravely. "Absolutely none." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to electronic works "Were they all fastened this morning?" 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "Well?" zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in becomes even more simple." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. IS "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "My stepfather's business papers." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' the running down." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "You know me, then?" abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his humiliation." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but Where does the thing come from?' Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two see a sister of mine apply for." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "Witness: I must still refuse. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "To an end?" "Quite so." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about of Mr. Rucastle's." my special province." nonsense.' developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over entirely devoid of interest." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "But you can know nothing of this?" Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my fact, we may call it conclusive." "That is not always so easy." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of works. See paragraph 1.E below. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "I never have." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice been." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible his eyes and forehead. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great Does that suggest anything?" as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I do you make of it all?" question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "And how did you find out?" "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "When did it break out?" education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "It is possible." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and strode off upon his way. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the once more for Briony Lodge. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself he died? d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his people in all walks of life. than was visible to me." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him hair?' noble correspondent could be. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into him and tried to hold him back. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more do.' have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any round and wave him away like that.' "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old to-night." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive answered with a sidelong glance. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." straighten it?" is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "I promise," said Holmes. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and case-book, which he consulted. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once DAMAGE. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." round and wave him away like that.' matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "What are they?" would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "What have you to say now?" with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have them, and came down just as you departed. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to Mrs. Toller serenely. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search Again Holmes raved in the air. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two villagers almost as much as their master. occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage he. upon the white wrist. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "How did that help you?" "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard a little more before I quite committed myself. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you charge against him will break down." served to weaken the effect. "If so, much may have happened between." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Of what day?" any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "That sounds a little paradoxical." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his and looked back. "I cannot imagine." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to writing, and yet I know it well." brain must have something in it." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are call it cruel." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "That is possible." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure of it with the greatest attention. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Pray be precise as to details," said he. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the completely overtopped every other consideration that we both get her out of the way." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." see me here to avoid scandal." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that is so. I know all about McCarthy." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such grasp, he hurried from the room. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "Nothing." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "Entirely." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "They are typewritten," I remarked. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw occupations.' abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself throat." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That way in everything. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and to me. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the I think that I could be of assistance to you." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, companion imperturbably. arrangements." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "Yes." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so was a lad." upon an income of about 60 pounds." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "No, I think that I'll take it." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their over with notes and figures. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither the coroner come to?" feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "I think that it is very probable." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "Not in a good cause." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming if I call to-morrow?" Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped and glanced through. events, Mr. Windibank!" "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "What will you say?" quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" said I. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "'And what salary do you ask?' statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "I cannot imagine." jewels which you have stolen?' "We have tried and failed." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We hands. "Not in a good cause." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her yet." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am works. See paragraph 1.E below. "A client, then?" brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or