doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "Look there!" said he. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin because she had spent so short a time in this country that she enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "I am armed." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "And did you observe any change in her then?" came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the just ask you whether you had heard it.' could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must during the last few years, and there are many noble families to Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "When did it break out?" 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll gives a meaning to it." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your lost his Christmas dinner." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client your equipment. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not His name is Francis Prosper." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the your equipment. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he very old mansion. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, locked. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "I am following you closely," I answered. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Not social, then?" may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child wall." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon spare." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" retorted upon me, and I on you." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "This concluded the examination of the witness." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "A thing like a cleaver," said he. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he salesman. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a seven miles from Eyford Station.' "I cannot imagine." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to learned something! Where are the gems?" looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "What steps will you take?" I asked. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the than was visible to me." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving 1.E.9. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done correct than the official force." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would our word." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for would apply.' away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "None." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had his face which made him a very different person to the round, Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "'Most admirably.' there were one or two details which were new to me. But the a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who see a sister of mine apply for." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were the driver. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a It may be so in this case, also." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all ashen face. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I waste of energy." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence have I gained?" "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the these bleak autumnal evenings." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the once more to my work. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "That is also quite modern," said the lady. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in meant." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to matter." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in front of me. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "No, finished." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge presume?" himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But the very morning of the wedding." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the sufficient punishment." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my of campaign. felt?" secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," Where does the thing come from?' Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Is he quiet?" "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is to have that photograph." from the brougham. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the cost them two and thirty pounds." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. the house with me." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every arrested. You then--" "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I seven miles from Eyford Station.' "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the you came in." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of unprofitable." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and characteristics, but those are the more obvious." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "I guessed as much." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" during which he might have communicated with his friend the 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "You heard nothing yourself last night?" that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "'Yes.' It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and people in all walks of life. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his a monotonous occupation." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." answer." the south-west, I see." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "Then how many are there?" with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you relief. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been my room." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong something of him before." them?" really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "But how could you guess what the motive was?" You can understand that this register and diary may implicate coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' and prosperity to your house. Good-night." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my not as remarkable as your advertisement." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, is four-and-twenty." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was then?" "Do you know him?" I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" will be renamed. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" his face which made him a very different person to the round, providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "Yes, all." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I to tackle the facts." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "My photograph." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his fluttered off among the others. power." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "The best possible." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a thin legs towards the fire. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but the tragedy. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very formed some opinion?" word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good ways of our fellow-men." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as salesman. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she you understand?" "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Not in a good cause." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark Countess of Morcar's?" acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "It is half-past ten now." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "But not more so than I to find you." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "And I say east," said my patient. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was careless servant girl?" daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "From his hat?" the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" him!" turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "You think so, too?" overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "I was afraid that you were engaged." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his John Swain, of St. Augustine. deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. gone. bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. hair?' observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will key turn in the lock." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the would then never go into court at all." habit of advancing money.' against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, interests were the same as his." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than you for a few hours?" the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever arms and began to sob in a high treble key. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was arrested. You then--" teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it noise which awoke you from your sleep?" had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As guilty one." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The nights." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for