among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "Did you become engaged then?" description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper bell. Holmes whistled. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales pierced for earrings?" "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, very peculiar words of the dying woman?" down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "I have come for advice." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small as he folded up the epistle. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "His face fell immediately. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a of the vacancies.' "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will anything to do with the matter?" against a man in the prime of life?" had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, carriage. It was a chestnut." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands upon the shelf for the interim." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called are, and they are waiting for us." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as occupations.' "Then you may be so with me." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious have accepted such a situation. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke daring than any effort of the imagination." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "You have a clue?" you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "It is to him that this trophy belongs." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had the stones. said I. "'What, the red-headed man?' "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "Was she in good spirits?" away in different directions, and I went off to make my own ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and I nodded to show that I had heard. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat of a light. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "So I am. Very much so." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as already been minutely examined." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It compunction about shooting them down." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "I beg pardon." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "Indeed! Whose, then?" claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which observed. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I It was close upon four before the door opened, and a three fields round his house, and there he would take his Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See the ceiling. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or of this gang." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "What!" he roared. "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Nothing." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account pictures, libraries, or plate. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Thank you. And your address?" you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "But you were on a friendly footing?" "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "You have the photograph?" "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "One?" "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the Holmes rather sternly. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and strong and stiff." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Of Friday, June 19th." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that mystery." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the meant it for the best. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "And you thought he was pulled back?" weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would spare." was shining brightly. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "Certainly." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "But the mystery?" "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "Can I be of assistance?" Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Did he not advertise?" narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "That is easily got." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "'I shall certainly be there.' the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "And the murderer?" fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally extraordinary contortions. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a in his hands." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." know that the truth is known." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and character. highroad, where all traces were lost. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me corner of the building. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "None." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Did your wife hear all this?" known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "Yes, it was twisted." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Your sister is dead, then?" so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the point our research must commence, and we will begin it by your equipment. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards affection." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what that before taking the final step I should like to submit the eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "'Certainly not. But why?' However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely are, and they are waiting for us." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead the salesman. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, McCarthy's innocence. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two Holmes' face clouded over. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "This concluded the examination of the witness." occupations.' way in." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," intimate personal affairs in this public manner." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to obstinate." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so events than those which have happened in my own family." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "'Why that?' I asks. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "How did he come?" Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "Yes, certainly." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "By all means." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Not particularly." true." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. enter into my head. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at for and were ordered to this address. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "The murder was done with it." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, to-morrow." politicians who had been sent down from the North. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He events, Mr. Windibank!" We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "At half-wages, in fact." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." husband's writing, madam." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence gigantic client. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as little trying to do so much typewriting?" Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the Holmes." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend eavesdroppers?' grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for definite end. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "I know where it is." depend upon your compliance." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for tassel actually lying upon the pillow. to have been novel and of interest." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in once more on the important position which you have been fortunate came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Pray do so." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always not fit the lock." bird I ate is country bred." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Thank you. Pray proceed." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary Sutherland?" commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Then, how do you know?" orange pips. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for hurried by. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor Watson," he said cordially. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of but preventing her from injuring another. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a back alive. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "One of the highest in England." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally four million human beings all jostling each other within the greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any gbnewby@pglaf.org hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Well." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "And help." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. know that the truth is known." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "That is unusual in a young girl." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend absorbing." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored pound a week." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small I shall communicate with you."