from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and excitement. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line his forehead." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, existence." amused." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. this as likely?" my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "No." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "You will not go there first?" volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and vanished into the darkness. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "No, I think that I'll take it." feature." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had to have that photograph." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save noting anything else of interest. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See helping a boy to put up the shutters. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open skylight. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "She showed me, as I told you she would." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had shall use the carriage to-night." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "That is possible." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "'What then?' I asked. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "'There is a drive, then?' "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just bears upon the case?" plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. and have this put in the evening papers." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case open." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, what is your own theory as to what took place?" moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "So I have heard." "And did you observe any change in her then?" key turn in the lock." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "An accident, I presume?" hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working works. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have but preventing her from injuring another. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you meanly of me." "On Monday." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever to miss it." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in his forehead." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my empty. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "You think that he is dead?" "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike woman who has had her own way to make in the world. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, woven round him. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Yes, he did." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy tell him that I know him to be innocent." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence Edgeware Road. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I the window, rose as we entered. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here which was all perfectly true. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Yes." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom fuss that is made over them." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "Yes, there are nearly always some there." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" in your London, you will know that the office of the company is maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a society." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "That is not always so easy." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." him. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near in the hope of finding them." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the his wife has ceased to love him." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and returning from some small jollification and was making his way in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor Sholtos." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' directly by questioning you." are, I think, all that we need." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the The King stared at him in amazement. "I see no marks." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "And the cigar-holder?" so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a good-night and bustled off upon her way. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there fait accompli?" - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included ventilator." "The murder was done with it." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "Perhaps I have." "No, my brougham is waiting." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to him!" "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen to Leatherhead. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp place no limit on the sum I may draw." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern train from Paddington which would bring you there at about heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Yes." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further Serpentine Avenue. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." in darkness. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not one's self under obligations.' husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "Yes, from Horsham." case before our client came into the room." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Not in a good cause." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind appeal." "I was afraid that you were engaged." front of me. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense heavily into it. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a do.' the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible you came in." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "'Where to?' I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a me where it went to?" was not a bird to be seen there. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "And the cigar-holder?" morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with you in yours." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "No legal papers or certificates?" interested in these little problems, and since you are good play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "Yes." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling shoulder; "he's all right." that I may have something better before very many minutes are Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "'I am sure if I had known--' "But how will you look?" that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself my secret was safe in his possession. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. Cross for the Continent." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "Perhaps I have." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to everything which you would wish to know." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a seem to you to be relevant or not." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of it." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened obstinate." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I mystery!" and no precautions can guard against." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness over here." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "And the murderer?" "I came to find a friend." Farm upon the left." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful for securing the situation." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "What then?" listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "What! Had he lost his wife?" "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "I have seen the police." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "I cannot tell." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Yes, from Horsham." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to delighted to hear it," he said. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter his eyes and forehead. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "And who is her maid?" Street. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and how narrow had been my escape. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. in this note: was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, bird of prey. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in occurred." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. think that any burglar could have done. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John carried out of court." down. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had what these perils are?" "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, drawing your inferences." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was to you." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, that he has suffered." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "I was afraid that you were engaged." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "My last client of the sort was a king." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. laugh and put his lips to my ear. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey a room. were new raised from a basin. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you