Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have remarked. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "Yes, it was twisted." presume?" little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the window when the police appeared." fact, we may call it conclusive." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had have not had my rubber." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left to-night's adventure." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "'Never,' said I. of receipt of the work. writing, and yet I know it well." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my behind me. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his dates and names. "You don't mind breaking the law?" as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to Lee, in the county of Kent." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. it means?" and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "I am in hopes that she does." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. he bowed and left the room without another word. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "But how will you look?" reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking three fields round his house, and there he would take his generous with you in money matters.' views." gbnewby@pglaf.org as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I to a light-house. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional fasten all the windows?" Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, Cross for the Continent." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" details should find their way into the papers. Inspector breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows point in the dark hollow of his hand. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong said he. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "I am in hopes that she does." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had thin, with a long, sharp nose?" Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I interests were the same as his." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "Was he the only applicant?" the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "I would give my fortune to have them back." be sorry for having acted so harshly." to his chemical studies. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "But I have heard all that you have heard." know what is wrong with it.' "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "How long did she speak to this Alice?" hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Precisely so. But how--" particular state visit http://pglaf.org would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in morning." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There my special province." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "By no means." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the I leave." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "I was mad--insane." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you look upon these things in a different way." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose charge against him will break down." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "He might." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "'What do you call purely nominal?' man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "You will not go there first?" upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled nothing with him." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from be there in time for your coming." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." for securing the situation." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope away to you." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." been shamefully used." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole nonsense.' relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not one which it was hard to resist. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "And how?" through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "Not him." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "And how?" when your master had gone out." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his meant." here and I will read it to you: certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you vague figure huddled up in the darkness. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have shaken than I had ever seen him. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, the ceiling. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the footfalls from the street. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had Sutherland?" "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you is now desirous of getting those letters back." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "'What, the red-headed man?' "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Only as much as we can deduce." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Where is it, then?" "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "Pray do so." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but have one." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small acted in my house last night?" bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns approach us with offers to donate. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the secret." "That you are never beaten." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic overpowering excitement and concern. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," unprofitable." hour." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an to some other building. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "I cannot tell." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he that?' preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and promised to bring home. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "My last client of the sort was a king." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Where, then, is my wife?" have not had my rubber." mysterious business." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after tightly behind him. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it recover the gem." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening dear old homesteads?" continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I question. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Yes, certainly." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "A greater distance to travel." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "I should be immensely obliged to you." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There to miss it." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the to tackle the facts." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "Ten will be early enough." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Never." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the gone. the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, of it with the greatest attention. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The go--none." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. which are rolled in Rotterdam." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "'Then let me do so?' the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Was your sister dressed?" office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a I. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "But the mystery?" "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "Yes, sir." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "I cannot tell." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for she slowly sank and died without having recovered her been." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them conceal it?" "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "'I am sure if I had known--' definite end. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said foot. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "'You doubt its value?' he asked. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "Well, but China?" passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation some city in a dream. cigars in the box." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook Count Von Kramm." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" your Highness to the police-station?" and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "No legal papers or certificates?" same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of note?" that he will be back before evening." his wife has ceased to love him." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with