Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, of receipt of the work. not personally threatened." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing I nodded to show that I had heard. closing the door. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "'Never,' said I. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be him to be an active member of the medical profession." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was girl said." "Where did he live, then?" eat it." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "'And the work?' Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by Sutherland. occurred." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. the stable lane now." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture persecution?" of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "I cannot tell." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Murdered?" "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "And now?" I asked. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one everything which you would wish to know." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Deserted you?" we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "You horrify me!" fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. go--none." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would entirely devoid of interest." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "'Why that?' I asks. hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled hair?' as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Yes?" once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "So it appears." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "And it is--" "And I to find an enemy." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" of your young ladies.' "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Which are?" the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and very morning of my second wedding." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "The Cedars?" "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "No, I think that I'll take it." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest of this gang." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the definite end. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. beg that you will break it off." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Seven!" I answered. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not back into the street. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to might help us?" Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the him nearly every evening." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "If I can be of use." name is different." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely past. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him gone before you can get him to hospital." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our annoyance, but no jest. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all you." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was whatever might befall. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that like that before?" every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "We were both in the photograph." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who the matter." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project showing my impatience. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there such person." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small should be so warm over such a trifle." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a nights." The summons was a brief and urgent one. "In San Francisco, a year ago." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." case-book, which he consulted. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in attention." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an vault. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. Countess of Morcar's?" together. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, you came in." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "'How far from the body?' "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' as he folded up the epistle. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would beg that you will break it off." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. Countess of Morcar's?" at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "And what then?" the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. the inquest, and which are worth considering." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and of a light. little adventures." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "And Miss Sutherland?" have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "Stolen, then." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon crackling voice. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies envelope. chance." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you which our visitor detailed to us. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" Lestrade of Scotland Yard." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in gives a meaning to it." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will knowledge of the world." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and gigantic client. of a light. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a it right.' the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond foresight and the moral retrogression?" to tackle the facts." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no nothing with him." "She will not sell." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when bill, which interests me deeply." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "'I have heard so.' our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove excitement. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "It's nothing of the kind." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "By train from Waterloo." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. a good hundred miles off by now." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon James Windibank. Voilà tout!" lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET with frightened eyes at his accuser. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to back into the street. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "An enemy?" than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the already been minutely examined." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "How many? I don't know." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the individual and becomes the badge of a society." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "What, then, did Peterson do?" garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. the bed, and you in that chair." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his the ceiling. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as young Openshaw's." cup of tea. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "No, thank goodness, she did not." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. is so. I know all about McCarthy." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "It was." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a than to us. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to begun to whiten, even as mine has." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler this Miss Turner." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I washing it down with a long draught of water. "Was the window open?" "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "You have but to name it." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I the general public were present, then?" "Well." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "I was afraid that you were engaged." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "You forget that I know nothing about it." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "Yes." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the at my own good fortune. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "Precisely." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Do you know him?" approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to it with his own hands." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his beg that you will break it off." "But how will you look?" "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Yes, he did." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Perfectly so." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know depend upon my doing so.' the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, Farm upon the left." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "'Oh, no, it is in the house.'