he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "This photograph!" month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "To the police?" far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly emerged. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I beyond words. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door murdered man." "'Certainly,' I answered. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in sufficient punishment." "So I have heard." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own money should be paid at once.' which are rolled in Rotterdam." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "Game for a morning drive?" "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon the very morning of the wedding." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears bled considerably." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not here." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the about. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way could not have written that. It is the German who is so make me his representative both with the servants and with the Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to himself in a perplexing position. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Then I do not see the point." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the companion quietly. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Stoke Moran?" said he. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon companion imperturbably. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a true." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "My stepfather's business papers." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "On the contrary, this is the right side." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "'How far from the body?' neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I she has been waylaid. There has been no result." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the you give your casting vote to?" "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached searched, without anything being found which could incriminate predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers sooner or later she must fall a victim. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before into the room. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent details should find their way into the papers. Inspector moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left and wait." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" paper in the air. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in burst out into a roar of laughter. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "I cannot think." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in Holmes' thin, eager face. "She walked into the breakfast-room." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Was the window open?" it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed paper in the air. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored The note was undated, and without either signature or address. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and trifles." "But of what society?" rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." did not hear it also.' "He might." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "Nothing." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. you do it in twenty minutes!' "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue of your young ladies.' Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled national property. I was determined that the law should have its outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is very morning of my second wedding." followed. "At the wedding breakfast." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying joking. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential name is different." of his shoulders. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor strength." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately chambers. "That is it on the dressing-table." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. my secret was safe in his possession. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of spare." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an points to suicide?" "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "No." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." Holmes." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "And how have you succeeded?" George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "'And the work?' money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I The events in question occurred in the early days of my doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we the date of his supposed suicide." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "9th. McCauley cleared. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right to Leatherhead. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "I came to find a friend." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the fatally injured? mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Yes, only one." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and galvanised. "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, results." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "And Irene Adler?" several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This License. You must require such a user to return or He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try held up the lantern and gazed about him. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate evidence," I remarked. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "BALLARAT." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but advice." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been it." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "Frequently." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help point our research must commence, and we will begin it by He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not so.' distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "No." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "By train from Waterloo." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing you." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he keep the flames under. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near bears upon the case?" did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "I have seen the police." main points of my analysis." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Whose house is it?" over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have which our visitor detailed to us. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the trifles." bird of prey. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She carriage. It was a chestnut." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, prison!" ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle it." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, it were putty." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman your only hope of safety." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and business?" been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under have been better. It is all right." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I the side-table." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt detective. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "And for present expenses?" tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. purpose equally well?" Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his hand, madam?" is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It Serpentine Avenue. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' Lee, in the county of Kent." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if his grey eyes. way in everything. been shamefully used." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of ordinary clothes on?" you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." been able to understand it, in a very few words. tear off another piece?' her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to What do you deduce from it?" this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes Holmes' room. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled is acting for the best. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss he bowed and left the room without another word. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "But it has twice been burgled." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Texas, I think." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a it with his own hands." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." photograph?" "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting guilty one." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of through." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "How on earth--" perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's forecastle of an emigrant ship. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of crime." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "You were travelling in the States?" had died away into the silence from which it rose. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock companion quietly. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great his wife has ceased to love him."