together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The families. Now for the facts. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for British peeress.'" "Precisely." "I am about to be married." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the such attractions and accomplishments?' thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "What?" you." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Get out!" said he. "This concluded the examination of the witness." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "So I heard. You have him here?" came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He married her." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "I do." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "It was an hour's good drive." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of the stable lane now." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the people don't know." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "You don't mind breaking the law?" profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face became a certainty. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in drove away. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue feature." skylight. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm indeed happy." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "That was it, sir." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the once more to my work. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it mystery." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately was a loud and authoritative tap. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Breckinridge is his name." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case with you?" are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my place no limit on the sum I may draw." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window may have an influence upon European history." becomes even more simple." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Stolen, then." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "Tired-looking or fresh?" followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of yards of it?' "'Certainly,' I answered. into the room. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, Arthur Conan Doyle arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "'Tell me all about it,' said I. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the during the last few years, and there are many noble families to making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "How on earth--" logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "'You doubt its value?' he asked. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I lost nothing by them." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've all that?" fishes. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' 1.F. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "Thank you. And your address?" bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day character. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "'I have heard so.' About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and and a shock of very red hair. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. little adventures." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon meant it for the best. pound a week." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a least a fellow-countryman. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work walking." "But who is he?" deduce something from that?" sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the my friend's incisive reasoning. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and learned something! Where are the gems?" case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." weighed down with some great anxiety. desk. a good hundred miles off by now." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have without success. At last the little money which I had saved began Dr. Gregory B. Newby Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "I cannot say that I have." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "I have my revolver," said I. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up to some other building. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Then I can wait in the next room." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the morning." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "I was certainly surprised to find you there." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present away in different directions, and I went off to make my own Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, gone before you can get him to hospital." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go for and were ordered to this address. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "'Never.' "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "He said that you could solve anything." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the this unhappy family?" two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own bare slabs of marble. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened me have 200 pounds?' "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "Stoke Moran?" said he. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "Thank you. And your address?" geese which you supplied to the Alpha." whereabouts. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some possible that we could bring him back to her? lumber-room." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. you give your casting vote to?" rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the was not a bird to be seen there. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" that, and I came down." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond noble correspondent could be. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), bachelor.' seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not shall not find me ungrateful." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. and looked back. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it maid will bring up your coffee." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of into the bag, and made for the door. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel strength of mind to control. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "9th. McCauley cleared. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he possible that we could bring him back to her? All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I then?" shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of to-night's adventure." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the my secret was safe in his possession. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to I was concerned in it." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an more terrible than the truth. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced second window is the one that I jumped from." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Why? What do you mean?" passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the followed. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is is acting for the best. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Certainly." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. and a shock of very red hair. "Was the window open?" think that any burglar could have done. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "How are you getting on?" suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. shoulder. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The entirely devoid of interest." "Where is it, then?" deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a your troubles." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. at my remark. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural the matter?" could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly girl said." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I out." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his McCarthy." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and and put his glass in his pocket. "How did he come?" however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "What then?" laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight