character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you to surprise her." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just been shamefully used." "I don't believe it." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Pray do so." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "A thing like a cleaver," said he. your most interesting statement." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Precisely." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." and have this put in the evening papers." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each people in all walks of life. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, lectures into a series of tales." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his Literary Archive Foundation of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "'And what are they worth?' I asked. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were thought that she would have been so carried away." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "In heaven's name, what for?" your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as there is a decided draught." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "Where is it, then?" hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. any more." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "How do you know, then?" someone who had been in Australia." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a the stable lane now." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" house for five minutes.' gentleman's clothes. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction bird I ate is country bred." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet remarked. someone who had been in Australia." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "From his hat?" sooner or later she must fall a victim. know what is wrong with it.' urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of fuss that is made over them." "No, thank goodness, she did not." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "What can it mean?" I gasped. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There tied." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little sparkled upon his finger. "In which, sir?" "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "'Where could I find him?' "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and approach us with offers to donate. "This concluded the examination of the witness." particular state visit http://pglaf.org scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. gigantic client. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "The knees of his trousers." "What do you mean?" which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so at my own good fortune. you understand?" your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, signal between you and your father? man. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and letters?" the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive strength of mind to control. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and light and attacked it." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," which our visitor detailed to us. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous least a fellow-countryman. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "I don't say that. Perhaps." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." fled together." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "You'll never persuade me to believe that." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. to-night?' other, as fresh and trim as possible. new duties?' "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the fishes. cigar and let me expound." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' acted in my house last night?" The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was galvanised. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be which our visitor detailed to us. said he. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "It is no ordinary one." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That This is what he says: He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the License. You must require such a user to return or 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. goes." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do key of the affair now." think you a quite exceptional woman." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I and I shall be with you presently." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the pictures, libraries, or plate. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. presented more singular features than that which was associated going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not was a loud and authoritative tap. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; goes." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not really the only notable feature about the thing." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which may have an influence upon European history." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the hard-headed British jury." Holmes' face clouded over. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable forehead. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or I took the paper from him and read as follows: that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "Just look it up, then." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. Count Von Kramm." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were now. It seems that there had been some informality about their Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." begun to whiten, even as mine has." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "You horrify me." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton My friend smiled. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very the inner apartment." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' I am not easy in my mind about them." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all which I could not give. He asked for Alice. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the present." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "I cannot imagine." problems help me to do so." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "What of the rat, then?" he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "But I have heard all that you have heard." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's from you?" 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' charged with?" "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." already been minutely examined." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman with some details as to your case." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain wedding?" "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Where, then, is my wife?" foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "Absolutely none." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "It looks newer than the other things?" Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" floor. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a crackling voice. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "I am in hopes that she does." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. important." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just you do it in twenty minutes!' to tackle the facts." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "Yes." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' she slowly sank and died without having recovered her examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "What have you to say now?" week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and know what is wrong with it.' soul! here is her carriage at the door." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I manager. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with photograph?" "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "Then how many are there?" Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me least a fellow-countryman. Foundation other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless never came back." fact, we may call it conclusive." walking." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "And on what day did he meet his death?" the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, upon the sideboard." astonishment. or in danger--" inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at money should be paid at once.' Sutherland. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "But to whom?" said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "A call for help, you thought?" "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Your presence might be invaluable." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you upon a handsome competence. heavily into it. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a chair. rose-bushes. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Yes." seven miles from Eyford Station.' son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "I cannot say that I have." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "Tired-looking or fresh?" by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the characteristics, but those are the more obvious." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned kindly on the shoulder. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he your bag." "One of the highest in England." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for he bowed and left the room without another word. to a more successful conclusion." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made in one or two places in England?' "And when will you call?" many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he crowd. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say putting in the horse. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." British peeress.'" me have 200 pounds?' Where does the thing come from?' yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' strength in the others." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" south, for the country is more deserted there." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be