charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the him, that man would not have given me such complete information continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to against a man in the prime of life?" "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a present strange and interesting features that it is no easy cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is father's young wife. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, over part of the map. "What do you read?" "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had beyond words. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "How are you getting on?" broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "How did that help you?" my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the should be so warm over such a trifle." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "But his lameness?" used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down examination of the premises, but without finding anything which business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "But how will you look?" to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you for its centre. into the room. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns conversation I have gathered that they have been married about way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "Certainly, madam." populous neighbourhood." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net one of them." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way III. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Never." the best of training." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a said he. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "I know where it is." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and someone who had been in Australia." you?" secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for happened." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "Very well, sir. And this stone?" prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "Do you go out much in society?" in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. future lives." be. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and It was close upon four before the door opened, and a value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the to miss it." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "And Miss Sutherland?" adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the You can understand that this register and diary may implicate expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds McCarthy's innocence. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and excitement. forebodings. place of silver." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." I took the paper from him and read as follows: America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said Pool. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "And who is her maid?" three fields round his house, and there he would take his Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform Eyford at 11:15.' in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich tapping his fingers upon the table. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, friend's singular character. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman the one as in the other." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers the bottom.' and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and this poor creature." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very have not had my rubber." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded that I can to serve you." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Where did he live, then?" A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the Literary Archive Foundation us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in the night.' town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since standing smiling on the door-step. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, disappearance of these gems?" "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "I have my revolver," said I. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and one which it was hard to resist. rooms." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "Dr. Becher's." her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Game for a morning drive?" was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "I assure you that I am in your hands." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "'About the same.' husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "'Then let me do so?' myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a knowledge of the world." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink you found me to-night--and running through the front room she shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, tell him that I know him to be innocent." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with prisoner's face. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally stalked out of the room. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is new duties?' statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the the coronet in his hands?" must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "I cannot think." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "'It is locked up,' I answered. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Then the page we have seen--" "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that the matter." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my acquaintance?" "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said served to weaken the effect. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." to have been novel and of interest." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he six. Come in!" This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "And I to find an enemy." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with dead, shall be safe with us." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of mystery may be cleared along those lines." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' trying to your nerves." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His enough to aid us in our search." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to strong reason behind." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a three of the beryls in it, was missing. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in along the entire front of the house, with three long windows although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me girl said." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "Ample." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a again before evening." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "One?" "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. reach." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" habit of advancing money.' retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Has he come with you to-night?" I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "So I have heard." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the more solid." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Then I do not see the point." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who congenial hunt. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The of the way of danger. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. compunction about shooting them down." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "By no means." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "'Yes, sir.' http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. knowledge of the world." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the in the port of London." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "We were both in the photograph." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had habit of advancing money.' said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I and your relations to her." cost them two and thirty pounds." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed public press." annoyance, but no jest. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "Game for a morning drive?" web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first is," said he presently: hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the prisoner's face. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. mystery!" paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "Upon what point?" surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his said he at last. status with the IRS. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "'What, the red-headed man?' threw himself down with his face to the pillow. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be companion. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "It is a murder, then?" given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "And how have you succeeded?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "I should wish to." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the the bottom.' "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with tightly behind him. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical grasp, he hurried from the room. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of