"No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the instituted." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "No." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside your most interesting statement." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "Nor running a chance of arrest?" Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I ago." thought that she would have been so carried away." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. later, upon the night of May 2nd." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way spark where all is dark to me." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "The gentleman I describe." "On your arm?" that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. advice." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My humiliation." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "Was your sister dressed?" "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "I should wish to." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very before the coroner and the police-court." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, Dr. Gregory B. Newby "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "I see no marks." companion imperturbably. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought do you make of it all?" "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project was already answered. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side but preventing her from injuring another. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. again." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was chance at all." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "So I am. Very much so." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "But I am all in the dark." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "You are all wrong." if only as a check to my own memory." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "No. His orders were to stay in the house." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a Sutherland. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I walking." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "He disappeared so suddenly." "May I see it?" Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure to tackle the facts." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. fact, we may call it conclusive." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as case before our client came into the room." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Only as much as we can deduce." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have might have a private word with us. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a furiously. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "That is unusual in a young girl." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the to where he stood hid behind the curtain. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Then, as to money?" cigars in their mouths. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations views." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "Well, some hundreds of times." "Won't it ring?" foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked American. Then who could this American be, and why should he remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "Where did he live, then?" I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of in him." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to an introduction to him?" "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "'I have already given you my word.' The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in back alive. already been minutely examined." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "But not more so than I to find you." "At what time?" seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat and no precautions can guard against." "Then I am your man." note?" "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "How can you tell that?" "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea felt?" "No. What a strange idea!" girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I crime. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that now. It seems that there had been some informality about their somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is people in all walks of life. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a is," said he presently: his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "I warn you that they are very incomplete." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "I guessed as much." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the nothing of it?" "I am sure." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to coroner's jury." meant it for the best. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Then, how do you know?" important." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what absorbing." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "Yes?" have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless suddenly upon us." hands. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Why? What do you mean?" explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but laugh and put his lips to my ear. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "Do you go out much in society?" "It goes to the housekeeper's room." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Now, then, what's the last entry?" Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to pound a week." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Now, then, what's the last entry?" fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking public press." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this present strange and interesting features that it is no easy possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Can I be of assistance?" "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "I know where it is." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "I beg pardon." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, young Openshaw's." business in the City. She little knew what. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and to me. will take you up to see the machine.' into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Certainly." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil business." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are the station." "No legal papers or certificates?" thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard dead, shall be safe with us." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now and a shock of very red hair. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. look upon these things in a different way." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole unclasping of his long thin hands. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "But what harm can there be in that?" details." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some giving me time to thank him. gone before you can get him to hospital." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "Nothing." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, neither fascinating nor artistic." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he could not have written that. It is the German who is so "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do dear old homesteads?" exactly what you advise." in him." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious forecastle of an emigrant ship. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Proceed, then." the room while you explain this matter?" was already answered. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "It was a confession," I ejaculated. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "We must sit without light. He would see it through the singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads from the brougham. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "Then you may be so with me." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "'And what are they worth?' I asked. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door wanted for ourselves." whatever might befall. "What can it mean?" I gasped. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do heavily into it. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well it with his own hands." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" photograph?" smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible morning." "What do you make of that, Watson?" dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up roused himself from his reverie. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything tear off another piece?' "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "You have a clue?" parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now Pool. whatever might befall. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "9th. McCauley cleared. prepare for the new role I have to play." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "It is solved." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "I have hopes." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly chance." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin the running down." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the Holmes." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again here." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "In answer to an advertisement." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot an introduction to him?" sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a with you?" and capable of preserving a secret.' sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be is now desirous of getting those letters back." views." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it