character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, ways of our fellow-men." photograph?" even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name of receipt of the work. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from IS "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall envelope. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "I am still in the dark." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital help us in this matter." crackling voice. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he ran thus: "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. strength of mind to control. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in society." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours shall use the carriage to-night." depend upon my doing so.' threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is from you?" at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid simple cases which are so extremely difficult." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my see me here to avoid scandal." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen father's place of business?" practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a Eyford at 11:15.' house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton This is what he says: mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote companion. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this as he remarks, very much against the son." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "He disappeared so suddenly." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from His name is Francis Prosper." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "'Yes.' his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "It is his hat." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "And is that all?" in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "Where, then?" was a loud and authoritative tap. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "None." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "But your client--" and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "'Very good.' I leave." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "How did he come?" clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he garden below. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "Will you bet, then?" have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where upon a handsome competence. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at said Mr. Holder. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I showing my impatience. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "But you have hopes?" during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. as yours." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman gbnewby@pglaf.org When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the at a side door. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "It was." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and people in all walks of life. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Entirely." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. be there in time for your coming." in his hands." the stable lane now." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "'You cannot say what it was?' *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "What, then?" "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "Nothing." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where this truth that in these little records of our cases which you quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that fatally injured? even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." meant it for the best. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "No, but the enclosure is." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing note?" "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a what these perils are?" He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered threw himself down with his face to the pillow. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity himself in a perplexing position. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "I cannot imagine." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "None." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "Yes." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "It is to him that this trophy belongs." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, someone who had been in Australia." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her never will be, entirely cleared up. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Never." him!" note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "In answer to an advertisement." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Stolen, then." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, my friend's incisive reasoning. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to some terrible trap for her." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "On your arm?" other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, for and were ordered to this address. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim has little to do with my story." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." had picked up in the wood. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a 11:15.' you." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that of this gang." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for fluttered off among the others. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or had died away into the silence from which it rose. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent highly," said Holmes. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "He might." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes daring than any effort of the imagination." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her said I. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still few hundred pounds.' "I think that I had better go, Holmes." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, in one or two places in England?' It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "Then I shall certainly come." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "Yes." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I child?' value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in key turn in the lock." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "There is the writing." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. night.' said he. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. was a loud and authoritative tap. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "What can it mean?" I gasped. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what true." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with better in every way that they should make their position a little "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few case-book, which he consulted. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "How many? I don't know." which was all perfectly true. never came back." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they the salesman. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master heavily into it. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "Yes." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, go--none." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." your co-operation." "My private note-paper." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. Heh?' "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised burst out into a roar of laughter. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the skylight. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do at home. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable paper in the air. if only as a check to my own memory." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had easy-going way." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this points to suicide?" and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Yes." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "I think that it is very probable." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should