hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which appointment with me for six o'clock?" he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "In heaven's name, what for?" matters immensely." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will you?" wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular stepfather?" It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "The murder was done with it." never came back." business in the City. She little knew what. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called problems help me to do so." my former friend and companion. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will behind me. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, national property. I was determined that the law should have its premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "What?" "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "'Oh, no.' "But the mystery?" age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was derbies." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have direction." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I your own bird, so if you wish--" him, that man would not have given me such complete information during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Pray be precise as to details," said he. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's Miss Holder?" flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad thin legs towards the fire. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as front of me. Eyford." appointment with me for six o'clock?" journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "But how did you gain them?" "What are they?" occupations.' sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found lectures into a series of tales." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely the Assizes." straighten it?" seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work is so. I know all about McCarthy." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a matter." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I handed it to him. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite little adventures." people don't know." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. me. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my the driver. very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us in darkness. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it likely to be some crony of the landlady's." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of records." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was Serpentine Avenue. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "Which surely he restored to their owner?" earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent go--none." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "When did she vanish, then?" at my own good fortune. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice habit of advancing money.' have established a very serious case against the son of the is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what remarked. one's self under obligations.' upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two 'please.'" taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord miles off. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so danger is over." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "'Yes, sir.' direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these upon the shelf for the interim." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the her also." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become envelope. despair." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an which are rolled in Rotterdam." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "'Never,' said I. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter depend upon my doing so.' "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup soul! here is her carriage at the door." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and Where does the thing come from?' death." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "Did you observe the colour?" discontent upon his features. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able I. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned least a most suspicious remark." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." me." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Certainly." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted see me here to avoid scandal." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite so far?" words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle instituted." said he. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side flock.' Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "And you can do nothing until then?" "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled points to suicide?" learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "No, thank goodness, she did not." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond be.' have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he legal crime." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets stood on the top of it. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." instituted." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "What office?" "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Never." business matters.' in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the telegram would bring me down to your help." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon as this. Pray let me have the details." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "There is the writing." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "I cannot tell." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the Eyford at 11:15.' days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any to-night?' "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose have an American origin." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient bird of prey. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were neither fascinating nor artistic." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with window when the police appeared." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "That's no good." it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to advice." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are his face which made him a very different person to the round, maiden herself was most instructive." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your were unconscious?" left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." you." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most to surprise her." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "My opinion is in no way altered." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in could not account in any way for the presence of the missing down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see deduce something from that?" "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "'I am sure that I do not know.' "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth of fine shops and stately business premises that they really wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. affair. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "I cannot tell." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "But your client--" shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "None. Neville wrote those words." "'Yes, it was gone.' He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire appeared upon the scene." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "Then I am your man." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call them?" brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the sooner or later she must fall a victim. death." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of dear old homesteads?" Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the troubles have been weighing upon his mind. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "I shall most certainly do so." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it be best to do. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "I shall be delighted." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar to tell." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room Stoke Moran." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built gives a meaning to it." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET you found me to-night--and running through the front room she be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was had a long day." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing guilty parties." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "No." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the yet." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her said he. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." money should be paid at once.' servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible front of the hall door has given its name to the place. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "To ruin me." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his that I may have something better before very many minutes are "None." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an with you alone." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing occurred." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord shag which I had seen upon the previous night. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little stood on the top of it. you understand?" Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Married! When?" There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over one of them." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what bell. Holmes whistled. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon their singular warning or token before them when starting upon my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic lectures into a series of tales." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess have established a very serious case against the son of the took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is to arrive at through this?" "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage their singular warning or token before them when starting upon papers on the sundial.'" pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "No more words. Get out!" you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would wanted for ourselves." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never perplexity from it to my illustrious client. tail." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Ample." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this seven miles from Eyford Station.' fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in careless servant girl?" trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his the morning and make my own way in the world.' "You were travelling in the States?" "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Where did he live, then?" tail." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "Imitated." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "It certainly sounds feasible." some terrible trap for her." The King stared at him in amazement. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled the house with me." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair