"What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened problems help me to do so." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "I am still in the dark." ways of our fellow-men." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every clanging. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "At what time?" with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." do." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On should be so warm over such a trifle." quick march!" with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "I think that it is very probable." "Pray do so." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the the coronet in his hands?" his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "'Certainly not.' situation." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "It was an hour's good drive." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is ago." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears drawing your inferences." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, closely." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he too. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced of the efforts of the United States government and of the better course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to bachelor.' his eyes and forehead. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being strange features which were associated with the two crimes which sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep cigars in the box." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "So it appears." giving me time to thank him. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "But it has twice been burgled." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire the loss of it. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" bore every mark of being an average commonplace British daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time Stoke Moran." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" directly by questioning you." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then union?" dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and legal crime." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man as yours." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "Then, how do you know?" be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the you." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and floor. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his bedroom door." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel deduce something from that?" Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right fish-monger and a tide-waiter." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, arms and began to sob in a high treble key. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' you." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "Ample." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my future lives." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Awake, Watson?" he asked. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more people don't know." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "Did you observe the colour?" whatever might befall. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong plantation.' for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "One horse?" interjected Holmes. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit I am not easy in my mind about them." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "You did not overhear what they said?" Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Yes, the wine-cellar." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the outside. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, she slowly sank and died without having recovered her submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through seven miles from Eyford Station.' of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "The Cedars?" will not take me long to tell. them?" the general public were present, then?" "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to despaired of." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "It was." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "No, I think that I'll take it." Street. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the tear off another piece?' more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "Holmes, the busybody!" was lame." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and before the coroner and the police-court." leaning back in his chair. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads too. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "Oh, fresh and glossy." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "'A dozen yards or so.' at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of DISSOLVED. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the have an American origin." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "'Ten to two.' "Nothing?" Chief Executive and Director "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was this truth that in these little records of our cases which you still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, details should find their way into the papers. Inspector time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand face and glided from the room. green of the new foliage. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Yes, I have one waiting." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it true." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do how narrow had been my escape. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to business at Coburg Square is serious." "A call for help, you thought?" hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist happened." "Yes, he did." bled considerably." "I cannot imagine." "But your client--" from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, back to my heart. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in all?" the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which Mary, has deserted me." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "We were both in the photograph." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "It surprised me." "'And the work?' as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. to miss it." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "None." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "'Where could I find him?' "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "He disappeared so suddenly." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of my friend's incisive reasoning. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "But you can know nothing of this?" "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round daring than any effort of the imagination." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "My dear Holmes!" lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who of fine shops and stately business premises that they really discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Of Friday, June 19th." and that he would see to anything that turned up. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "So I heard. You have him here?" As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook Pool. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and as he remarks, very much against the son." "I came to find a friend." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. man. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your guilty parties." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a appointment with me for six o'clock?" gentleman's clothes. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have swore that no one else had been in the front room during the look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the past. where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included assist you in forming an opinion." when you have done it." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the long narrative. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Yes, sir." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms to you." "Precisely." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had evidence," I remarked. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful furiously. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, to go into your room and bar your shutters?" Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should past. to-morrow." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the child?' there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly me, and I could not think that his explanation of the hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor already been minutely examined." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "The Coroner: What do you mean? helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. in him." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what chance." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential prisoner's face. which our visitor detailed to us. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the started for the Temple to see my husband. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted burst out into a roar of laughter. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the whereabouts. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "Entirely." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "Ah, but I was recommended to you." lectures into a series of tales." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was danger is over." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in