Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. that you can jump it.' shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Your sister is dead, then?" old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "I have seen the police." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "'Which dealer's?' banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed for securing the situation." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just you?' "How on earth--" plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of Again Holmes raved in the air. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and paper in the air. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the troubles have been weighing upon his mind. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we and all of them with the keenest interest. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Whose house is it?" "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "And the murderer?" seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford once more to my work. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." developed." "You were travelling in the States?" "What I expected to see." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "Here?" tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "The murder was done with it." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Where is it, then?" it. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to excitement. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "How can you tell that?" shall not find me ungrateful." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far begun to whiten, even as mine has." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I fire. You quite follow me?" which we had just quitted. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their said he. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched to-morrow." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" pierced for earrings?" call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his than to us. "And how did he make his money?" "No more words. Get out!" conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving tail." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations my former friend and companion. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan pressing in one house as in another. there." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done soul! here is her carriage at the door." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "Dark enough and sinister enough." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "You have carte blanche." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and the night.' has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense most important business. It is probable that he will be away all possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "Very much so." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "And why?" to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." yet." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the hardly wander." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "'It is locked up,' I answered. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a his eyes and forehead. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that points to suicide?" had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm fat-encircled eyes. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition License. You must require such a user to return or fled together." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "'A dozen yards or so.' with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do DISSOLVED. "I am in hopes that she does." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day matters immensely." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But have established a very serious case against the son of the only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the of receipt of the work. within hail.' what these perils are?" there was no need for father to know." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "So I have heard." Mary, has deserted me." had formerly been in part my own. passage and a tap at the door. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "And is that all?" extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate bell. Holmes whistled. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number affection." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Yes." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "How long did she speak to this Alice?" and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a other means.' "Holmes, the busybody!" touch that coronet?' gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late use an arc-and-compass breastpin." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by Doctor, of the paper and the date." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "I am still in the dark." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "How many? I don't know." yet." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of me. You must get home instantly and act." "What are they?" overpowering excitement and concern. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I fuss that is made over them." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he that before taking the final step I should like to submit the he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so way: which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "They are typewritten," I remarked. woven round him. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he his huge brown hands. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of my secret was safe in his possession. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet society." "Yes, it was twisted." and the colonel ushered me in. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "You will not go there first?" what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we in his power. second window is the one that I jumped from." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "The Coroner: What do you mean? round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This kindly on the shoulder. one which it was hard to resist. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the daring than any effort of the imagination." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "At the wedding breakfast." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" time." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "It is very clear." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "'And what salary do you ask?' hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George promised to bring home. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." his cane at the bell-pull. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's unclasping of his long thin hands. "Witness: I must still refuse. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to lectures into a series of tales." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course again, where I was soon asleep. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "My opinion is in no way altered." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She his knees, staring into the fire. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "How can you tell that?" However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure careless servant girl?" which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here 11:15.' I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back train from Paddington which would bring you there at about Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of gone. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "'Ample.' deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "And how have you succeeded?" he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without and your relations to her." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "And your father? Did you tell him?" tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "It must be recovered." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner himself to tell his story. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Of what day?" "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Then the page we have seen--" having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of you?" "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "Holmes, the busybody!" into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would must compliment you." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a Holmes rather sternly. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "We must sit without light. He would see it through the parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, companion. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I begun to whiten, even as mine has." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." for the market.' manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's key of the affair now." "'I am sure if I had known--' "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, head. So long, then!" eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, the coronet in his hands?" remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, photograph?" you in yours." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the