delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to wife's character?" seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by bachelor.' Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They there were one or two details which were new to me. But the gbnewby@pglaf.org was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it retorted upon me, and I on you." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a said he. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up weary and pale-looking. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a the station." "Why? What do you mean?" "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had guilty parties." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about breakfast." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek the date of his supposed suicide." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "No. His orders were to stay in the house." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Who was the criminal, then?" husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend relation between them, and what the object of his repeated down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew fled together." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "And your mother is alive?" than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it you." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying advice." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from hand, madam?" a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to arms and began to sob in a high treble key. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he noble correspondent could be. past. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the so.' wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and occupations.' Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together investigation." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "And is that all?" into her hand at the door and which lured her within their tapping his fingers upon the table. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "But how did you gain them?" has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "She told me to ask you." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over had formerly been in part my own. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money noble correspondent could be. gentleman's clothes. to-night." "None." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Your French gold?" upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "'What do you call purely nominal?' diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her noble correspondent could be. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "I say it is." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot answered with a sidelong glance. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body were wasted." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was electronic works and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and other, as fresh and trim as possible. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" detained." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of to surprise her." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "How long did she speak to this Alice?" main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "How did you trace it, then?" "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can Farm upon the left." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." I took the paper from him and read as follows: "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always him. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. and no precautions can guard against." five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up cup of tea. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated intrusion of other matters." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent purpose of examination. learned something! Where are the gems?" away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "And I say east," said my patient. promised to bring home. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "It's nothing of the kind." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which washing it down with a long draught of water. despaired of." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan some terrible trap for her." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a know that the truth is known." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman matter over." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of charged with?" impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "Do you go out much in society?" evidence," I remarked. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "What steps will you take?" I asked. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the Watson," he said cordially. asked. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad forbidden door. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "That you are never beaten." this man was intellectual?" once more for Briony Lodge. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Yes, that is the Crown." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "'Quite sure, dad.' country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any to have that photograph." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried happened." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the stepfather?" it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have heavy and sharp instrument." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number opportunities to fix the problem. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my meant." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that the devil!" her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "What do you mean?" "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "We have tried and failed." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Yes." me. You must get home instantly and act." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will man. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' writing, and yet I know it well." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss had no one to advise her at such a crisis." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He McCarthy's innocence. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at knowledge of the world." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most retorted upon me, and I on you." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up not within a twentieth part of the market price." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Was your sister dressed?" them, and came down just as you departed. some water from a caraffe. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered case-book, which he consulted. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "You don't mind breaking the law?" "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your confronted him. himself to tell his story. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning to arrive at through this?" lumber-room." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said that threaten you." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in friends, not even his own brother. are windows in it, of course?" "About a month then." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with written, and locked the door of the office after me. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "'As governess?' you for a few hours?" on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about said he. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and persecution?" was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." outside." the date of his supposed suicide." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them carriage. It was a chestnut." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months any more." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "So it appears." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "'Where could I find him?' journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. to surprise her." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that been shamefully used." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of have one." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his key turn in the lock." "I should be immensely obliged to you." "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "The doctor?" gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "What office?" may have an influence upon European history." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be as the one I chose?' anything to a woman, for she would have her way." the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "You horrify me." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Have you her photograph?" direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and success. "I never have." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He means taking possession of that which another person has a prior France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." definite end. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Stoke Moran?" said he. quite distinctive." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to may never be exposed to such a temptation." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "I would pay ten."