large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that whereabouts. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "My private note-paper." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical you." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who one else, I think." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to and files of the old papers, following the future career of every a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, enough to aid us in our search." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Was your sister dressed?" He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands results." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she which I could not give. He asked for Alice. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Then he might have called to you?" are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the will he say when he returns?" I think that I could be of assistance to you." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a respectable self." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. cup of tea. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "Yes, that is the Crown." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he me where it went to?" "You horrify me." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little Have you good authority for what you say?" very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. a monotonous occupation." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to be.' back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew in one or two places in England?' should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of chair. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. Sutherland?" even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time one's self under obligations.' is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "I came to find a friend." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of to affect your life." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my imbecility!" he cried. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "Ample." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the directly by questioning you." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive again before evening." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Very much so." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "Quite so. She has her freedom." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "Was the window open?" that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, of his shoulders. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "How long did she speak to this Alice?" near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. outsides of the windows. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can writing, and yet I know it well." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is criminal. We have already had experience of such." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a of the vacancies.' "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. and it need not interfere very much with one's other at a side door. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and sit on the left-hand side of the driver." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "'I have heard so.' "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have room had already been engaged for us. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard of fine shops and stately business premises that they really suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out helping a boy to put up the shutters. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET charged with?" it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Entirely." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "Come in!" said he. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," morning." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself spare." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "But what is it you wish?" "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "None." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You ago." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon relation between them, and what the object of his repeated the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A brought there to personate someone, and the real person is however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I late." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion security.' you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "I would give my fortune to have them back." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Perhaps I have." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Won't it ring?" you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. not within a twentieth part of the market price." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "But I have heard all that you have heard." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the pierced for earrings?" with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" you for a few hours?" To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation seen the man in the road." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was Holmes' room. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "Certainly." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall ago." "And sit in the dark?" crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a leaning back in his chair. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to to change my dress. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. hand, madam?" constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black said he at last. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "Imitated." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my had a long day." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my about here speaks of his kindness to him." to me. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may vault. "And help." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "But how?" "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "'No, I know no one in these parts.' of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter Holmes. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which dead, shall be safe with us." all-comprehensive glances. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I awkward doing business with an alias." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "And now?" I asked. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" my former friend and companion. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as the driver. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "No, finished." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what what I may call a really hard day's work." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right of the one which your family is now devouring." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such there!' his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" dead, shall be safe with us." "My dear Holmes!" see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the London for the present?" hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "None." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "None." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. grasp, he hurried from the room. secret." "'As governess?' manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a friend's singular character. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue it right.' who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father Again Holmes raved in the air. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police Dr. Gregory B. Newby Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been crime. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He burst out into a roar of laughter. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of the child." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been Eyford at 11:15.' better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would and glanced through. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Yes." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as name is different." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not place, I think that there is good ground to think that the It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "It is true that I have been generally successful." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "Did he not advertise?" when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, presented more singular features than that which was associated the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of Holmes' room. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest nonsense.' "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous newspaper selections." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "I cannot think." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "'What are you doing there?' he asked. be.' "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "Of what day?" that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere returning from some small jollification and was making his way at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two DAMAGE. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy figure." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, business?" Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "My Mary? Impossible!" years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "And why?" outbreak?" ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." as he folded up the epistle. voice. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges once more for Briony Lodge. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of eat it." "In which, sir?" has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the peculiar to him. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend again." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "How on earth--" "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "To the police?" Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to with some details as to your case." "And is that all?" not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what you came in." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "Perfectly so." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I upon the shelf for the interim." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." tied." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "One?" to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "It is possible." been able to understand it, in a very few words. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of enough to aid us in our search." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at even of instruction." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid