this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "I say it is." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid strong reason behind." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made this as likely?" the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "I fear not." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the tension within him. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "If so, much may have happened between." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small affection." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a long narrative. would then never go into court at all." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification for its centre. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "I am in hopes that she does." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke there were one or two details which were new to me. But the come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I it." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "How about poison?" "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "You'll never persuade me to believe that." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Yes, the wine-cellar." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "No, my brougham is waiting." matter over." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my formed some opinion?" errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Never." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for from the brougham. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "On Monday." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our burst out into a roar of laughter. you understand?" "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove My friend smiled. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average sparkled upon his finger. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." away into the river." "Why serious?" It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler window when the police appeared." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided was keenly on my guard against him. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." as he folded up the epistle. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "But it has twice been burgled." chance." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, she slowly sank and died without having recovered her week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at not, dad?" she asked. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Do you go out much in society?" At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it lost nothing by them." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "And is that all?" very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. the best of training." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers Eyford." fatally injured? his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the as he folded up the epistle. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "What do you mean?" and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with passage and a tap at the door. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst presented more singular features than that which was associated "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "'Never,' said I. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his throat." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get respectable self." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the certainly not very gracious." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "My own seal." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had with the outside air!" "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "But she could not love him." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on John Swain, of St. Augustine. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what Where does the thing come from?' years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of through." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in details." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "No bad?" do.' "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "Then I shall certainly come." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "The landlord of the Alpha." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old tell me that you intended to go into harness." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. putting in the horse. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "So I heard. You have him here?" "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a his knees, staring into the fire. "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. excitement. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our delirious. so far?" this unhappy family?" cigar and let me expound." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the he. ran thus: brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security brain must have something in it." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall the salesman. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly asked. "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Where, then, is my wife?" know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "It must be recovered." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "On Monday." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "What are they?" which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and details." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, behind me. "It is a murder, then?" Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that me. You must get home instantly and act." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Quite so. She has her freedom." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious companion quietly. than to us. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got highly," said Holmes. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "I think that I had better go, Holmes." bird of prey. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and sit on the left-hand side of the driver." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so most interesting one." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist awaited us upon the table. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any think, you have already met." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. yourselves in at night?" "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "So I heard. You have him here?" "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite back into the street. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself appeal." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest disappearance of the bride.'" We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "It goes to the housekeeper's room." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "I was mad--insane." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his to that open window." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "What do you make of that, Watson?" fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "No good news?" a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as plantation.' papers on the sundial.'" who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "How can you tell that?" that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "What can you not understand?" Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his them?" "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "Did your wife hear all this?" we went to search for him, face downward in a little back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said Young McCarthy must be got off, however." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their words came to my lips. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with placed his cuttings. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its copied or distributed: coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have were new raised from a basin. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just money should be paid at once.' was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "My dear Holmes!" lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "What then?" "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the works. See paragraph 1.E below. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your closely." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he woman who has had her own way to make in the world. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon outside. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine redistribution. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Yes, they were peculiar boots." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for