human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself cup of tea. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "'No, I know no one in these parts.' gone. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. It may be so in this case, also." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "Quite so. She has her freedom." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said affair. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. noble correspondent could be. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the where Mr. Fordham shows you.' fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove one or two very singular points about this room. For example, explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the Holmes' thin, eager face. future lives." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very Does that suggest anything?" "I am armed." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them room?" "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are may never be exposed to such a temptation." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know Eyford." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "It was." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "My private note-paper." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "My last client of the sort was a king." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of thin, with a long, sharp nose?" believe that I should never have any practice at all. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices God! What an exposure! What can I do?" a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "And from a noble client?" "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to My friend smiled. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "What!" he roared. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one will find little credit to be gained out of this case." sparkled upon his finger. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "I should wish to." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "That is it on the dressing-table." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be that there was nothing in it, after all." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage father's young wife. but preventing her from injuring another. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "But who is he?" logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "You are all wrong." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "I came to find a friend." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously the child." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, client, rising. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for License. You must require such a user to return or Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "'And the work?' gone. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' up this clue while it is still hot." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "By no means." several quiet little villages up there." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "No." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some call for it in person on Monday morning.' depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client Holmes rather sternly. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the people don't know." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of trying to your nerves." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Tired-looking or fresh?" send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "So I have heard." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, lids now and glanced across at his visitor. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "You have but to name it." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "And you thought he was pulled back?" named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "That is easily got." "No, I think that I'll take it." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he there is a decided draught." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. closing the door. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in records." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no should be taken.' an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was mystery may be cleared along those lines." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story is," said he presently: husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we about. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat you do it in twenty minutes!' "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money following enigmatical notices: "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such the nursery. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally bearing upon the case." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was the ceiling. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "I will get her to show me." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." extraordinary contortions. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 Pope's Court, Fleet Street." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "'As governess?' ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been mystery!" a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out Holmes' room. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "Yes." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the disappearance of the bride.'" doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, article?" entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the it." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." me. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good if she died from some sudden fright." "None." have established a very serious case against the son of the Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," bachelor.' waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, completely overtopped every other consideration that we both of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "No bad?" finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was roused himself from his reverie. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." Farm upon the left." "None." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so who was a member of your goose club." highroad, where all traces were lost. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You washing it down with a long draught of water. "Yes. He waved his hands." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. morning." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "Here?" strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might there!' set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to empty. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "None. Neville wrote those words." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in one's self under obligations.' again." "Why serious?" he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this gigantic client. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** nothing with him." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Oh, the cause is excellent!" With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "'Yes.' happened." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "'Never.' that before taking the final step I should like to submit the butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those was once confined in the cab my mission was practically interest. They are important, you understand, without being this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he something of him before." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "He slept on the premises." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said chambers. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is second." peculiar to him. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I is four-and-twenty." them present such singular features as the strange train of rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There door?" ourselves in the office." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural the roots. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the McCarthy." this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face fashion which was peculiar to him. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. just ask you whether you had heard it.' eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "It's nothing of the kind." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able chambers. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "I know where it is." go back?" "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two be. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was is," said he presently: have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Yes, but only for you and me." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' think that he is innocent?" "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort were unconscious?" "And Miss Sutherland?" would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "Yes, it would be as well." see me here to avoid scandal." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in hurried by. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our must compliment you." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate tell me that you intended to go into harness." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to ways including including checks, online payments and credit card but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. here." "Yes, sir." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to too. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." knowledge of the world." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "Murdered?" used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an narrative." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "But of what society?" "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, papers on the sundial.'" thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these which our visitor detailed to us. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "No, but the enclosure is." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit ways including including checks, online payments and credit card we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" and laid it on the table. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "Quite so." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. exactly what you advise." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "Game for a morning drive?" attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "How did that help you?" were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." new acquaintance to Baker Street. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I