I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There too. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would one else, I think." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." spark where all is dark to me." go from here to the Strand." "And the murderer?" "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. any little problem which you may submit to me." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "If so, much may have happened between." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to you understand?" just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went mystery may be cleared along those lines." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are fire. You quite follow me?" being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, his forehead." "Why, what do you mean?" we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that mysterious end." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Were they all fastened this morning?" As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Which surely he restored to their owner?" a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "Yes, I have one waiting." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' been deceived." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the take the flies, but not before." highroad, where all traces were lost. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow breakfast?" at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and and a shock of very red hair. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "What will you do, then?" that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to certainly not very gracious." recover the gem." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began as noiselessly as she had come. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his so far?" came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some matters immensely." make me his representative both with the servants and with the see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "Has he come with you to-night?" as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His Does that suggest anything?" "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as character. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "Why did you beat the pavement?" stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the and the church but not where the lady lived." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He some water from a caraffe. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have straightened it out again. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "He said that you could solve anything." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, following enigmatical notices: in the hope of finding them." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. I took the paper from him and read as follows: greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "I have seen the police." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You some city in a dream. only touch the interest." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." them, and came down just as you departed. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "What are they?" brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "And that is--" were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are writing, and yet I know it well." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination all?" "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in as he folded up the epistle. populous neighbourhood." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "'Entirely.' through." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "Then I shall certainly come." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Eh? What was that?" in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried several quiet little villages up there." "No." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social to tell." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness very old mansion. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of DAMAGE. "From his hat?" of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Yes." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "Ah!" "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Murdered?" have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. look upon these things in a different way." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything is now desirous of getting those letters back." you do it in twenty minutes!' in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes in. we went to search for him, face downward in a little is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when from the brougham. stammered. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which key turn in the lock." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be bed dies. Does not that strike you?" Sutherland?" a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had happened." "And you thought he was pulled back?" the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "I cannot think." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "Yes, but only for you and me." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the been with you?" "And how did he make his money?" her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for me. You must get home instantly and act." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to existence." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "He is dead," cried several voices. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. answer." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose the Assizes." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than something of him before." upon a handsome competence. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was against a man in the prime of life?" four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the will he say when he returns?" walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder were wasted." "Bought." "It is true that I have been generally successful." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. you." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "And from a noble client?" detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "Yes." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. I. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the examination of the premises, but without finding anything which thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" Count Von Kramm." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt said I. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men away in different directions, and I went off to make my own Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned friends, not even his own brother. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never drove away. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "She showed me, as I told you she would." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "But I am all in the dark." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no nonsense.' in him." you." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose the warnings." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been lumber-room." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Why serious?" have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he This is what he says: reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "But you have hopes?" though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other place of silver." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the I was concerned in it." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a from you?" Holmes' thin, eager face. some terrible trap for her." maiden herself was most instructive." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever quick march!" baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "No, my brougham is waiting." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "'Where could I find him?' "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "I have solved it." business." fled together." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. opened the door, and slipped through. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange your co-operation." some city in a dream. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to writers could invent nothing more crude." individual and becomes the badge of a society." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "A call for help, you thought?" have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "My opinion is in no way altered." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven together. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the once more to my work. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "Ten will be early enough." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with in him." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang little trying to do so much typewriting?" husband's writing, madam." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat read it out to me." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to stepfather?" The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, been." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "She will not sell." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Your presence might be invaluable." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Oh, fresh and glossy." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "And how did you find out?" It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were fait accompli?" it. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate secret." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see skylight. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. looking up at the numbers of the houses." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones nonsense.' soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "I am armed." think that he is innocent?" both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but