impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to drawing your inferences." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one and the whole place is in a blaze." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." companion quietly. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "Then, how do you know?" nothing of it?" the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the your most interesting statement." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our Miss Holder?" it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "Nearly eleven." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "'Yes, sir.' the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their there has been an enclosure here!" would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "Murdered?" determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the and have this put in the evening papers." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is desk. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "He is still with you, I presume?" destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At if only as a check to my own memory." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no already referred to. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his carpenter." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "Why, what do you mean?" the matter?" be there in time for your coming." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "The King of Scandinavia." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Yes." without a word or a look. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Well, some hundreds of times." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Here?" success. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained stepfather?" was shining brightly. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "What!" he roared. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the where we are going." if she died from some sudden fright." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I tell him that I know him to be innocent." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she there in twenty minutes." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon ashen face. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my all-comprehensive glances. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew people don't know." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the strode off upon his way. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "Quite so." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't and it need not interfere very much with one's other work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 three of the beryls in it, was missing. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the gbnewby@pglaf.org our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "'I am sure if I had known--' adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. least a most suspicious remark." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even Henry Baker is a member." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet and capable of preserving a secret.' transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a You can understand that this register and diary may implicate hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "Quite so. She has her freedom." affection." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, towards the blaze. "It was an hour's good drive." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of ago." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "The doctor?" friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She Miss Holder?" the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. his grey eyes. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a formed some opinion?" "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by promised to bring home. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for child?' seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some she might be summoned. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to enter into my head. matter." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "But I am all in the dark." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the green of the new foliage. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Of Friday, June 19th." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I upon the white wrist. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what father's place of business?" had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "I was mad--insane." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Why, it's a dummy," said he. London for the present?" "On Monday." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune the room while you explain this matter?" thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a rose-bushes. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "So it appears." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to system of imprisonment?" plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been which our visitor detailed to us. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal cause to be." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. that he will be back before evening." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the and prosperity to your house. Good-night." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt have I gained?" Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left which are rolled in Rotterdam." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "He might." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have to take care of herself." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the the salesman. face and glided from the room. him to go away.' "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "Perhaps we may make them less so." "You saw the ventilator, too?" developed." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." woman." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "I am all attention, madam." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a of campaign. galvanised. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "A greater distance to travel." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's sneer upon his pale face. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you despair." "But how?" teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "To ruin me." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my My friend smiled. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Yes." "We must have a cab." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, putting in the horse. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "Never." against a man in the prime of life?" tapping his fingers upon the table. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who events than those which have happened in my own family." my room." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a little adventures." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "In heaven's name, what for?" "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall that?' mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The redistribution. "So I have heard." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the think, you have already met." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in formed some opinion?" suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would From what you have told me I think that it is possible that system of imprisonment?" "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. your bag." weapon." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some business came to an end." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry fishes. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, asked with his eyes open. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have go back?" hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, into her hand at the door and which lured her within their upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the reach." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is in the dead of the night?' once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "And who is her maid?" himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite Stoke Moran." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and searched, without anything being found which could incriminate had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no tightly behind him. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each shaken than I had ever seen him. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "A call for help, you thought?" had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded province." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies business?" that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "No, distinctly professional." directors, with the result that you have seen." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "'Certainly not. But why?' "I think it very unlikely." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "It is very kind of you." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version was lame." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. presume?" of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel answer." "9th. McCauley cleared. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "It is a murder, then?" "Did you observe the colour?" used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so own family. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important said I. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the brain must have something in it." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "I have seen the police." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too eat it." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by questioning and rather startled gaze. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the II. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my noting anything else of interest. quick march!" "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "And how did he make his money?" innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "Could he throw no light?" first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" developed." went to the Alpha were town bred." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an