stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a then?" and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the more solid." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' desk. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "That is possible." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after round and wave him away like that.' presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would is worth.' those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Then what has happened to him?" Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while spark where all is dark to me." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a case before our client came into the room." "Ten will be early enough." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand a suggestive one." "I am to be neutral?" should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at sooner or later she must fall a victim. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a or other trace. But how on earth--" established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which late!' with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think tightly behind him. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate entirely devoid of interest." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "Very much so." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "Yes." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, disappearance of the bride.'" lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for could gather together that I was able to avert another public forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from the room while you explain this matter?" refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the once more. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." who was a member of your goose club." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side I have it here in my museum." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Ha! you find it so?" look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save letters?" it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "How often?" Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." whole matter to your consideration." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock of campaign. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place Lee, in the county of Kent." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, answer." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these these bleak autumnal evenings." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' seem to you to be relevant or not." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my outsides of the windows. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a seem to you to be relevant or not." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. strength of mind to control. I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough you came in." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "And Irene Adler?" whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Yes, certainly." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she colonel looking down at me. pierced for earrings?" terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "There are none." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother so.' down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated it means?" "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for very peculiar words of the dying woman?" started for the Temple to see my husband. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "'Why that?' I asks. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "But not more so than I to find you." "Whose house is it?" "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend miles off. there in twenty minutes." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, useful material for showing traces. The double line a little planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "No good news?" gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the lumber-room." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "No good news?" writing, and yet I know it well." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was front of me. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Why, it's a dummy," said he. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his comes from the middle window." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "Always." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how had died away into the silence from which it rose. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "And why?" "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local four million human beings all jostling each other within the towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in skylight. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the had a long day." said Mr. Holder. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? swore that no one else had been in the front room during the by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his your co-operation." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." of receipt of the work. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and for securing the situation." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Your presence might be invaluable." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "But you can know nothing of this?" that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "You have carte blanche." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the said I. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for returned to France?" gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Yes, from Horsham." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "And what did you learn from him?" the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's cigars in their mouths. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I tension within him. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass carpenter." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, shoulder; "he's all right." "To an end?" when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and lost his Christmas dinner." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Yes, it was twisted." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg reach." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my such person." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished hour." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "What then?" I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but their singular warning or token before them when starting upon the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a delirious. generous with you in money matters.' happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, obstinate." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the were new raised from a basin. young Openshaw's." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are experiences." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. results." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without the devil!" the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how quick march!" very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "And Miss Sutherland?" hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." Holmes' room. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 11:15.' other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he of the vacancies.' ashen face. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, himself to hunt down. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man golden eyeglasses. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "I answered that I had not. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his your bag." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood gone before you can get him to hospital." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free until night should bring an explanation. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "'What do you call purely nominal?' computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open weary and pale-looking. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "Yes, but only for you and me." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her discontent upon his features. "But how will you look?" dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "If I can be of use." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were sound at heart." that, and I came down." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little with her." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very forehead. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Eh? What was that?" to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough even of instruction." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "The Cedars?" to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he reach." the window, rose as we entered. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, someone who had been in Australia." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your character. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that tension within him. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring with frightened eyes at his accuser. "No good news?" "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of the room while you explain this matter?" "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "'Yes, it was gone.'