silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "Yes, sir." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' in my life." the window, rose as we entered. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the cigar and let me expound." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. such person." the coronet in his hand?" Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local way in everything. "You have a clue?" "Dark enough and sinister enough." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Certainly." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire security.' what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I present strange and interesting features that it is no easy Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "What do you make of that, Watson?" "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she to-night?' weapon." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may fire. You quite follow me?" the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "The best possible." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "I was sure that I might rely on you." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "But how did you gain them?" across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up prove to be little relation between the different incidents of thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. villagers almost as much as their master. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we was keenly on my guard against him. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "And is that all?" fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "What! Had he lost his wife?" dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, the coronet in his hand?" was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the Arthur Conan Doyle tension within him. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to he. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "What shall I do?" "You did not overhear what they said?" watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left passage and a tap at the door. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found Eyford." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." business." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Yes." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "No. What a strange idea!" "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "To the police?" no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" least a most suspicious remark." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "I will, Miss Turner." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and ago." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "You have carte blanche." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "'Stolen!' he cried. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As people in all walks of life. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots least a most suspicious remark." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and taking in every detail of the apartment. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "It is possible." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from during which he might have communicated with his friend the LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your companion. "'Where to?' "Then I shall certainly come." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know colonel looking down at me. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a of receipt of the work. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and coroner's jury." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "No?" by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he woman." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Yes?" takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Where to?" "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "But how will you look?" quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "No." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." lost nothing by them." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The been." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of arms and began to sob in a high treble key. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to newspaper selections." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a there is a decided draught." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "Never." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if you understand?" eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the lamp. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have corner of the building. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. think that he is innocent?" even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my allusion to a rat. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and Serpentine Avenue. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in unkempt, staring out at me. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "'About the same.' "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "They are typewritten," I remarked. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "It is true that I have been generally successful." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off charged with?" excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "Yes, they were peculiar boots." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases villagers almost as much as their master. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a have I gained?" dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or emerged. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these down. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to arms and began to sob in a high treble key. writing, and yet I know it well." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his matter." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a man. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of client, rising. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. and your relations to her." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an shall use the carriage to-night." "I think that it is very probable." evidence," I remarked. "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen spare." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "My photograph." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the she might be summoned. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to in him." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm you?" "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout status with the IRS. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "A call for help, you thought?" skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. delighted to hear it," he said. British peeress.'" electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "I promise," said Holmes. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "'And the work?' "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he lips." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are success. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right all that?" "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come fear." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel comes from the middle window." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close delighted to hear it," he said. lips." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any jewels which you have stolen?' "Yes, certainly." Doctor, of the paper and the date." "I will get her to show me." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the Lee, in the county of Kent." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made him nearly every evening." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black and files of the old papers, following the future career of every leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss see a sister of mine apply for." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout through." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "An accident, I presume?" Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "Your French gold?" have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Where did you address your letters, then?" imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has feature." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon a monotonous occupation." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "And what did you learn from him?" "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long shall not find me ungrateful." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is