would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were character. with some details as to your case." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of made his money." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my man. States. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we against a man in the prime of life?" stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Ten will be early enough." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "Never." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "Yes." he. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner used to be." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "I see many objections to any such theory." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "'Very good.' card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond go from here to the Strand." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers generous with you in money matters.' after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "It is possible." "From his hat?" is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction helping a boy to put up the shutters. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the entirely lost his self-respect." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "And now?" I asked. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Was the window open?" the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. crime." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your cup of tea. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "So I heard. You have him here?" "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, interested in these little problems, and since you are good was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "In what way?" asked Holmes. affair. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a detective. XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed it right.' been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "I will try. What is it?" age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "What will you say?" "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return soul! here is her carriage at the door." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Certainly." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one papers diligently of late, have you not?" The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "This photograph!" train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, might have a private word with us. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at about. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the side. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had vague figure huddled up in the darkness. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little yet." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "'I have already given you my word.' "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. chance at all." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort notes," he said. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with wedding?" washing it down with a long draught of water. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Just look it up, then." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I Leadenhall Street--and--" "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to was once confined in the cab my mission was practically yards of it?' conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that then?" slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been come either from the window or the door. My attention was "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the you give your casting vote to?" is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a ran thus: "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Witness: It was. see me here to avoid scandal." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that train from Paddington which would bring you there at about the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old to affect your life." character. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "ARAT," I read. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I assist you in forming an opinion." have accepted such a situation. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I hereditary King of Bohemia." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "Yes, sir." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "Very murderous indeed." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. His name is Francis Prosper." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "So it appears." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to six. Come in!" "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "From his hat?" upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and handed it to him. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." tell them apart.' accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Witness: I must still refuse. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "'And what are they worth?' I asked. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite prisoner's face. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with me upon any point which I do not make clear." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" questioning and rather startled gaze. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I Stoke Moran." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that again." "No." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen purpose of examination. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just better grown goose." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences into her hand at the door and which lured her within their editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock the bed, and you in that chair." waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune her also." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of go--none." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this most interesting one." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "You horrify me." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "Who by?" deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. thought that she would have been so carried away." forecastle of an emigrant ship. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a once more to my work. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known behind me. one else, I think." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and the best of training." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must God! What an exposure! What can I do?" that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, wedding?" to-night?" I asked. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'I shall certainly be there.' by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should suddenly upon us." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of he. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as gone. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "I say that I have solved it." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on business." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking and files of the old papers, following the future career of every following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly fluttered off among the others. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "She will not sell." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "What! Had he lost his wife?" staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had to have been novel and of interest." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the is acting for the best. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Pray continue your narrative." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, infinite languor in his face. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, down from London to inquire more deeply into it." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew entirely lost his self-respect." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "Was there a secret marriage?" "Not yet." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at tightly behind him. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. go--none." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. sufficient punishment." must be when I saw the door open.' sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country Literary Archive Foundation promised to bring home. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the himself in a perplexing position. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, means taking possession of that which another person has a prior where we are going." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't pound a week." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "You think so, too?" forebodings. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "What then?" "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "An accident, I presume?" aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the Sholtos." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such was a loud and authoritative tap. used to be." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You you, my dear young lady?' never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal she to prove their authenticity?" a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as populous neighbourhood." "It surprised me." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever telegram would bring me down to your help."