"The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of as he folded up the epistle. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "How long did she speak to this Alice?" maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond the child." house for five minutes.' "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "The knees of his trousers." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her were wasted." excitement. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "That is possible." "That is possible." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in and effective." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond business matters.' considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by and looked back. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "Pray tell us what has happened to you." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully disturbance in my wife." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I room?" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had instituted." I took the paper from him and read as follows: "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." breakfast?" at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in helping a boy to put up the shutters. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in nothing with him." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "It is solved." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally the morning and make my own way in the world.' the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "Yes." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "I don't believe it." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' in his power. "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." lamp. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the bled considerably." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's fear." there has been an enclosure here!" week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "By no means." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "Only as much as we can deduce." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "No more words. Get out!" "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "There is the writing." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the thought that she would have been so carried away." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he union?" "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "No. What a strange idea!" allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "It looks newer than the other things?" records." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "I cannot as yet see any connection." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "What can it mean?" I gasped. hurried by. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "That is it on the dressing-table." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily the so-precious time, but come!' again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "I should like to see him very much." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "'You cannot say what it was?' "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." obstinate." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting and have this put in the evening papers." hereditary King of Bohemia." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "It looks newer than the other things?" established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "But your client--" really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "'Yes, sir.' "'What then?' I asked. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the one of the states of the Union." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "Never to return." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at me." "He said that you could solve anything." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "I do." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face furiously. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came pressing in one house as in another. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a colonel looking down at me. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" British peeress.'" 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' was lame." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Indeed! Whose, then?" "How long did she speak to this Alice?" charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall have had none more fantastic than this." all?" what I may call a really hard day's work." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was long narrative. "I cannot imagine." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his waste of energy." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "I think that I had better go, Holmes." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the be there in time for your coming." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror if only as a check to my own memory." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his III. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "You horrify me!" skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "No bad?" window when the police appeared." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to developed." "On your arm?" plantation.' "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away excitement. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "Where did he live, then?" "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that allusion to a rat. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Where is it, then?" "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Come in!" said Holmes. "In which, sir?" wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." me. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have enter Dr. Roylott's room." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "No." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But one which it was hard to resist. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "He is dead," cried several voices. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since frequently gained my first real insight into the character of But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as fled together." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your strong reason behind." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, rose-bushes. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Then how many are there?" the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a young Openshaw's." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs arrangements." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "How do you know, then?" were wasted." "Precisely." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "By train from Waterloo." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie to change my dress. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their approach us with offers to donate. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "Did your wife hear all this?" "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my in your London, you will know that the office of the company is made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. absorbing." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the what these perils are?" which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. chill to my heart. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what in a friendly supper." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got second window is the one that I jumped from." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This Farm upon the left." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself ourselves in the office." detained." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating easy-going way." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards he bowed and left the room without another word. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "No, but the enclosure is." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" Have you good authority for what you say?" laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and and effective." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to From what you have told me I think that it is possible that strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had the address that was given us in the advertisement. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Why serious?" very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with or other trace. But how on earth--" His name is Francis Prosper." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "She told me to ask you." laugh and put his lips to my ear. three fields round his house, and there he would take his I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at something of him before." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and which was all perfectly true. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." never will be, entirely cleared up. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "You horrify me!" our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Why serious?" his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "You'll never persuade me to believe that." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "'I have heard so.' importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "What of the rat, then?" "One of the highest in England." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the tell me that you intended to go into harness." emerged. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "If I can be of use." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "In the cells." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring