You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "What! You do not mean bodies?" heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll now. It seems that there had been some informality about their of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will over part of the map. "What do you read?" when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is married her." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. orange pips. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to think, you have already met." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a habit of advancing money.' "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Yes?" and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "Well, but China?" "Nothing." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "But the mystery?" colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a recover the gem." and effective." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty call it cruel." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in might have a private word with us. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine feature." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found the date of his supposed suicide." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my the coroner come to?" the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those already been minutely examined." eat it." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still and your relations to her." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added the date of his supposed suicide." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he chair. deduce something from that?" owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should all-comprehensive glances. from you?" return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too photograph a cabinet?" foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Can I be of assistance?" be there in time for your coming." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, row." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, bell. Holmes whistled. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "'Stolen!' he cried. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" Holmes." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from fattened it expressly for you.' "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "I saw her in conversation with her maid." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down absorbing." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" into the room. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "No." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his interests were the same as his." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very go back?" "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "By no means." "It surprised me." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "And why?" of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary room had already been engaged for us. may never be exposed to such a temptation." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "That was it, sir." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "I answered that I had not. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," and laid it on the table. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could copied or distributed: "Then, as to money?" "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The call you and give you the chance." "Dr. Becher's." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to unkempt, staring out at me. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "He said too much." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have drove away. ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me morning." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "You saw the ventilator, too?" examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other writers could invent nothing more crude." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "A greater distance to travel." "None." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that fuss that is made over them." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." sparkled upon his finger. to me. ourselves in the office." observed. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of bears upon the case?" business at Coburg Square is serious." take the flies, but not before." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to just ask you whether you had heard it.' Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" tapping his fingers upon the table. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a late." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "To an end?" "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and point in the dark hollow of his hand. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I man. I know him from the photograph." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which quickly through a disagreeable task. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "May I see it?" do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the again." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get letters?" corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" But Holmes shook his head gravely. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I impression behind it as though a window had gently closed was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any I. sake, don't!" succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about question," said Holmes, smiling. she might be summoned. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should delirious. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him to-night." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His in. "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "None. Neville wrote those words." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "And for present expenses?" fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to you want, then?' "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the Literary Archive Foundation "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there that you wished to speak to me?' endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept carriage. It was a chestnut." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down business at Coburg Square is serious." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the interest. They are important, you understand, without being misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "It is no ordinary one." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at bell. Holmes whistled. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched into the room. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society and have this put in the evening papers." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well fatally injured? sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. during that time.' "Witness: It was. father's young wife. have one." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "'I have already given you my word.' it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. yourselves in at night?" considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point I shall communicate with you." wedding?" we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Very much so." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "'Quite sure, dad.' upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more only touch the interest." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a recall any case within my experience which looked at the first and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by families. Now for the facts. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "He might." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do when your master had gone out." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Why? What do you mean?" Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "But your client--" for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and Literary Archive Foundation could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My Have you good authority for what you say?" pity, because in other respects you would really have done very one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "BALLARAT." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can you understand?" machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he mystery may be cleared along those lines." hurried away. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste possible that we could bring him back to her? wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" leave you to your papers for a little." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "And Irene Adler?" only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said before, for it was considerably after midnight. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. your equipment. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it bears upon the case?" "Will you go?"