to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "No, I had a dozen." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a off." "That was it, sir." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It your own bird, so if you wish--" steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which detective. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to woven round him. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. you?" but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was the best of training." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is and have this put in the evening papers." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a made his money." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a had a long day." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in when you have done it." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "'Yes, I promise.' coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after completely overtopped every other consideration that we both possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "Yes, he did." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled companion. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. over here." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side Again Holmes raved in the air. your co-operation." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that II. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of highroad, where all traces were lost. room had already been engaged for us. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "Have you her photograph?" glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it may have an influence upon European history." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter in a friendly supper." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and waste of energy." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the page at http://pglaf.org "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having might have a private word with us. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar would then never go into court at all." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying friends, not even his own brother. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by will be renamed. than was visible to me." purpose of examination. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey the coronet in his hands?" "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short mysterious end." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "Look there!" said he. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank stammered. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide again." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little call you and give you the chance." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, are windows in it, of course?" have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "What will you do, then?" have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under room had already been engaged for us. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "This photograph!" lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "No sign of it?" vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I she used." the best of training." "Entirely." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "I see many objections to any such theory." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the I nodded to show that I had heard. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, like that before?" upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be so far?" through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the had died away into the silence from which it rose. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of clang of the bell. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there generous with you in money matters.' delighted to hear it," he said. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat fire. You quite follow me?" chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, was shining brightly. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious believe that I should never have any practice at all. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "Where is it, then?" ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the and effective." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, o'clock is it?" returned to France?" reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with heavy and sharp instrument." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to this poor creature." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will definite end. papers on the sundial.'" "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, compunction about shooting them down." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband situation." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "'As governess?' and prosperity to your house. Good-night." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may Foundation come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, and have this put in the evening papers." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "'It is locked up,' I answered. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's presume?" "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most and the colonel ushered me in. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away colonel looking down at me. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only there in twenty minutes." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and strong and stiff." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I of it with the greatest attention. the tragedy. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" could gather together that I was able to avert another public strength." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or frequently gained my first real insight into the character of had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of there when the Rucastles went away." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see six. Come in!" is so. I know all about McCarthy." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," within hail.' at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. the coronet at all injured?" came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making visitors." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. burst out into a roar of laughter. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "But not more so than I to find you." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do bedroom door." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch his grey eyes. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "That's no good." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "Texas, I think." trifles." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally success. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I observed. the roots. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "Thank you. Pray proceed." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as written. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, points in connection with it which never have been, and probably yourselves in at night?" conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign that I can to serve you." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "'I shall certainly be there.' instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free to-morrow." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my like gravel from a pit.' astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching father's place of business?" course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was of the efforts of the United States government and of the better might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that written, and locked the door of the office after me. back to my heart. humiliation." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Yes, all." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel Sutherland?" "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of man. "And what then?" "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost that threaten you." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "No good news?" "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in see a sister of mine apply for." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in threw himself down with his face to the pillow. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Then you may be so with me." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "But to whom?" "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's or in danger--" that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, I approached. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "I am following you closely," I answered. "Where to?" "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which careless servant girl?" "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the respectable self." "But how?" Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go fear." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "My Mary? Impossible!" among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "It surprised me." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece the morning and make my own way in the world.' coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Certainly, madam." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "What! You do not mean bodies?" to a light-house. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into a monotonous occupation." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the Count Von Kramm." think that any burglar could have done. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than weigh very heavily upon my conscience." was a loud and authoritative tap. sneer upon his pale face. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. you came in." results." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned