of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of outside. "I cannot imagine." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I completely overtopped every other consideration that we both provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the face and glided from the room. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered clanging. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "Did you become engaged then?" position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "Who was the criminal, then?" States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "Of what?" minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, Lestrade of Scotland Yard." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Indeed! Whose, then?" daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He your billet.' starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, 'please.'" signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss to-night?' observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the touch that coronet?' being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. woven round him. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, standing smiling on the door-step. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "Quite so. She has her freedom." certainly do as you advise." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew hurried by. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "Certainly." some city in a dream. ashen face. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet of the one which your family is now devouring." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. the room while you explain this matter?" very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be charge against him will break down." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "He is dead," cried several voices. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. unclasping of his long thin hands. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar particular state visit http://pglaf.org would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather of them has the shutters up.' thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Pray do so." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography must compliment you." "And your mother is alive?" "It is no ordinary one." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each answer." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears at my remark. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, from you?" "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are roused himself from his reverie. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Yes, sir." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "What!" he roared. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "Yes, it was twisted." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "The landlord of the Alpha." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "'Never,' said I. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "But not more so than I to find you." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which astonishment. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most you." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, and I shall be with you presently." to have that photograph." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one on in his house." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to him to be an active member of the medical profession." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece society." outside. "Not particularly." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. thin legs towards the fire. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback round and wave him away like that.' "Not particularly." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, mysterious end." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "And Irene Adler?" them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Frequently." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you green of the new foliage. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "You'll never persuade me to believe that." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew Pool. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to and all of them with the keenest interest. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose you came in." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at voice. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to went to the Alpha were town bred." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" mystery." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own once more on the important position which you have been fortunate sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "By all means." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "One of the highest in England." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began if only as a check to my own memory." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress been shamefully used." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "A greater distance to travel." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, could go. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand jewels which you have stolen?' "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his it." of them has the shutters up.' to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs without success. At last the little money which I had saved began we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, back alive. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, views." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his all-comprehensive glances. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "But to whom?" of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the anything to a woman, for she would have her way." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down empty. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest vanished into the darkness. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Where to?" Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to bled considerably." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "But your client--" thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or into the bag, and made for the door. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "'There is a drive, then?' scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "She will not sell." official police." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely thin, with a long, sharp nose?" both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? and glanced through. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." to talk it over. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "And it is--" the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "It was a confession," I ejaculated. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so do.' his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin them?" no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, His name is Francis Prosper." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire British peeress.'" with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the friends, not even his own brother. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some fact, we may call it conclusive." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him unclasping of his long thin hands. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her to tell." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should desk. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "What office?" so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "We have tried and failed." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent been deceived." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a behind me. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our perplexity from it to my illustrious client. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon kindly on the shoulder. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood married her." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "How many? I don't know." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "Why? What do you mean?" "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful be there in time for your coming." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to if only as a check to my own memory." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may simple cases which are so extremely difficult." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my for its centre. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "You don't mind breaking the law?" its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into locked. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "No?" moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and them present such singular features as the strange train of was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "You think so, too?" dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts present." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out developed." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. passage and a tap at the door. and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "Where, indeed?" As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Nothing?" one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard sake, don't!" knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, allusion to a rat. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I late!' "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on to go into your room and bar your shutters?" way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United key turn in the lock." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the ordinary clothes on?" "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with door?" "But I am all in the dark." tell him that I know him to be innocent." tightly behind him. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "'Yes, I promise.' "You forget that I know nothing about it." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable