brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my photograph a cabinet?" last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't had formerly been in part my own. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A http://gutenberg.net/license). sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Yes?" "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you you for a few hours?" was a loud and authoritative tap. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was your sleep?' "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "'About the same.' girl said." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining as yours." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "A greater distance to travel." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the careless servant girl?" very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There new acquaintance to Baker Street. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss charged with?" that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "By no means." "And that is--" rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and brandy and water within his reach. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "Pray tell us what has happened to you." taking in every detail of the apartment. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "No, I think that I'll take it." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Was he the only applicant?" adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked Doctor, of the paper and the date." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than the night.' as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "'What then?' I asked. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "Awake, Watson?" he asked. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the envelope. if I call to-morrow?" fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "'Never,' said I. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "Very much so." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for or in danger--" total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. murdered man." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the started for the Temple to see my husband. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by absorbing." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" colonel looking down at me. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs night.' said he. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "An enemy?" "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "No bad?" in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "Bought." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious a suggestive one." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three too. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Upon what point?" it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with business." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers me. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Pray continue your narrative." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no you give your casting vote to?" quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "'It is locked up,' I answered. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "What will you say?" 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were come either from the window or the door. My attention was delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the questionable one." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin until night should bring an explanation. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried companion. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. orange pips. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the awaited us upon the table. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has child?' would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "Yes?" him and tried to hold him back. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his to that open window." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under in this way: not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "But how did you gain them?" a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "I will get her to show me." here and I will read it to you: "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his locked." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Come in!" said Holmes. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." guilty one." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his think that he is innocent?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure without success. At last the little money which I had saved began another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief questioning and rather startled gaze. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case letters?" house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been peculiar to him. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming know what is wrong with it.' the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per brought there to personate someone, and the real person is and all of them with the keenest interest. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No father's place of business?" "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "And now?" He raised his hand. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. wedding?" "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my you in your example." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "You think so, too?" He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with wedding?" have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The highroad, where all traces were lost. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of Heh?' "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "But how?" admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Was she in good spirits?" Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "But he might be a bachelor." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated have had none more fantastic than this." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, here and I will read it to you: to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided unkempt, staring out at me. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger one of them." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Indeed! Whose, then?" hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him very old mansion. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "What of the rat, then?" object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he I nodded to show that I had heard. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "Then how many are there?" "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Breckinridge is his name." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to will he say when he returns?" "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with with some details as to your case." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "But you have hopes?" come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out one of the states of the Union." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was fuss that is made over them." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who During two years I have had three consultations and one small the nursery. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its meant." in the dead of the night?' every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with definite end. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "That is it on the dressing-table." "And why in hopes?" - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the affection." were new raised from a basin. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an but preventing her from injuring another. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "Well, but China?" bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently digesting their breakfasts at home." with you?" absorbing." "'I am sure that I do not know.' Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH in the hope of finding them." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Pray be precise as to details," said he. question. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "Dark enough and sinister enough." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. discontent upon his features. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the where Mr. Fordham shows you.' very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "It was an hour's good drive." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my call for protection in the marriage market, for the present very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is indeed happy." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking to-night?" I asked. companion. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said unprecedented a position." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had opened the door, and slipped through. "BALLARAT." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "My opinion is in no way altered." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation that you can jump it.' "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Very well, sir. And this stone?" pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line cigars in the box." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of is," said he presently: strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Precisely." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he bonnet, and went out." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all the little opening for the ventilator is." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the you." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who to that open window." fact, we may call it conclusive." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again shoulder. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Then what has happened to him?" list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That your equipment. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better