volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and to go into your room and bar your shutters?" nothing of it?" "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "Not in the least." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and quite distinctive." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "At the wedding breakfast." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "No, but the enclosure is." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of third from London." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the back alive. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge outside. "Then what has happened to him?" demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "I cannot tell." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that outside." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated been shamefully used." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and it? Did I buy the geese off you?" A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "You have carte blanche." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns weapon." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had should be so warm over such a trifle." in one or two places in England?' third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I fishes. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall Sutherland?" his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the meanly of me." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "How are you getting on?" retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful things are very often connected not with the larger but with the India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. you give your casting vote to?" "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "And your mother is alive?" than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "Yes, I have one waiting." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached she used." out of this horrible affair." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open paper in the air. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "A call for help, you thought?" questioning and rather startled gaze. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, said Mr. Holder. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. manager. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "I was afraid that you were engaged." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little closely." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all started for the Temple to see my husband. given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, Holmes' face clouded over. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the him nearly every evening." suspect him." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a records." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. thought that she would have been so carried away." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, his huge brown hands. outbreak?" myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "None." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have than was visible to me." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There the one as in the other." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and and inquire as to the address." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "I was mad--insane." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of fluttered off among the others. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was fatally injured? "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "'Yes, sir.' "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "But she will refuse." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was right! Sit down and let us talk it over." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in presented more singular features than that which was associated "But his lameness?" is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too back into the street. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "I know where it is." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the weary and pale-looking. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so be.' "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You you, my dear young lady?' the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "Yes." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the six. Come in!" I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, character. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is undoubtedly my uncle's." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce already been minutely examined." "'Yes, sir.' pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His What do you deduce from it?" bonnet, and went out." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the wanted for ourselves." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, about. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her pound a week." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate happened." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of wedding?" were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I intimate personal affairs in this public manner." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "Then he might have called to you?" true." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how children over to America with him, so that I found myself without the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from which I could not give. He asked for Alice. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" shall not find me ungrateful." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET disappearance of these gems?" "To ruin me." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "How do you know, then?" to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "The vanishing of the lady." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." way: the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "'In my own bureau.' minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with instituted." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the which I could not give. He asked for Alice. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of article?" and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long distance from the station, and there we found the young lady self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "I think that it is very probable." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the works. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I asked. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "'Where to?' where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less the bottom.' half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "It is very kind of you." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and felt the room to be a little close.' happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "When did she vanish, then?" "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord should be so warm over such a trifle." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands hereditary King of Bohemia." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable were new raised from a basin. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open ways of our fellow-men." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's you." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make chair. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can views." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "It may not come to that," said Holmes. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by will take you up to see the machine.' snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Did you observe the colour?" long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "It was." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "'And the work?' like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "I am sure." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "That is possible." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Nothing?" implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the never to learn it at all." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so chambers. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "I have come for advice." "My photograph." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the answer." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "No more words. Get out!" right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "I cannot imagine." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up foot. an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There directors have had misgivings upon the subject." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Have you it here?" imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would your equipment. "You are all wrong." what I may call a really hard day's work." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "No." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "And leave your case unfinished?" Street. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "But how did you gain them?" "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "It surprised me." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a never came back." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason Sholtos." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country to his chemical studies. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "I have a cab outside." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with or other trace. But how on earth--" "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "Yes." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, mysterious business." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "Here?" the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among behind me. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The will find little credit to be gained out of this case." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way late!' to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of