were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my father's place of business?" "Upon what point?" "And how did you verify them?" have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs throat." I was concerned in it." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. Count Von Kramm." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole McCarthy." it." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "And what then?" of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "I am still in the dark." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I despaired of." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "The knees of his trousers." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I I shall communicate with you." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's nonsense.' would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "The gentleman I describe." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" interest. They are important, you understand, without being "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I and laid it on the table. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO suddenly upon us." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "And that is--" wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken matters immensely." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "Yes." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black bed dies. Does not that strike you?" He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So voice. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? laugh and put his lips to my ear. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but vague figure huddled up in the darkness. quickly through a disagreeable task. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune touch that coronet?' the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if the coronet at all injured?" "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole shall not find me ungrateful." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a husband's writing, madam." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, matter over." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I him!" threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot electronic works "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are himself. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "A client, then?" star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case the Friday. Was it to be in church?" would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "That also I could fathom." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge pressing in one house as in another. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy triumphant cloud from his cigarette. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as morning." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and and inquire as to the address." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual man. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "How did he come?" Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I power." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing interests were the same as his." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that prove to be little relation between the different incidents of many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "I cannot imagine." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution asked with his eyes open. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather what I may call a really hard day's work." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an matter." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" Sutherland?" "What office?" The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the Holmes rather sternly. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "Nothing." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." him, that man would not have given me such complete information was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not to some other building. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be ashen face. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a cause to be." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven definite end. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through developed." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with to-morrow." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Was the window open?" "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective to tell." "In San Francisco, a year ago." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Not yet." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had astonishment. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot your room." "Well, but China?" waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I maid will bring up your coffee." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "And that is--" old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I business at Coburg Square is serious." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If his huge brown hands. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "The doctor?" "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of I held the little printed slip to the light. ran thus: felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the What do you deduce from it?" troubles have been weighing upon his mind. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "None. Neville wrote those words." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an sake, don't!" "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to 1.F. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "'Ten to two.' confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The lectures into a series of tales." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and notes," he said. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here 1.F. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "'Quite sure, dad.' had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his future lives." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential dead, shall be safe with us." "But he might be a bachelor." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as of campaign. words came to my lips. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "BALLARAT." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Well, it is a possible supposition." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has which it had come upon my father." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "Not I." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." you." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "Nothing." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "'A dozen yards or so.' a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Very much so." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial depend upon my doing so.' awaited us upon the table. "I shall most certainly do so." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most swore that no one else had been in the front room during the used to be." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "You will not go there first?" teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Proceed, then." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? I took the paper from him and read as follows: had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "At half-wages, in fact." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us really the only notable feature about the thing." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you thin legs towards the fire. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, with you alone." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "And that is--" faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "Did you observe the colour?" that I am arrested." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth go back?" "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and bonnet, and went out." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to even so self-evident a thing as that." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed formed some opinion?" entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself furiously. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. do you make of it all?" objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "Well." both be extremely obliged.' of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he just ask you whether you had heard it.' "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Yes." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "And why in hopes?" hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a not use it unless it is absolutely needed." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "What do you mean?" a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the best detective that ever lived. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon if she died from some sudden fright." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a room had already been engaged for us. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "How can you tell that?" "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's discontent upon his features. your Highness to the police-station?" and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "I assure you that I am in your hands." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An money should be paid at once.' Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "Could he throw no light?" George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "But you were on a friendly footing?" old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Where is it, then?" we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Not yet." which it had come upon my father." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as do you make of it all?" danger is over." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "It is very kind of you." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "I say it is." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I you." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they me, and I could not think that his explanation of the may never be exposed to such a temptation." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from his huge brown hands. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a as noiselessly as she had come. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The the one as in the other." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts the morning and make my own way in the world.' behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when