moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Not yet." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the she might be summoned. "'Quite sure, dad.' remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in Count Von Kramm." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "Dirty?" Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "Married! When?" his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a II. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "Ten will be early enough." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There visitors." questioning and rather startled gaze. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Game for a morning drive?" man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "About a month then." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I tell me that you intended to go into harness." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "But who is he?" the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A purpose of examination. residence of the great financier. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, was lame." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this went to the Alpha were town bred." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man looking up at the numbers of the houses." upon the white wrist. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have in the port of London." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I young Openshaw's." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Well, but China?" the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at be sorry for having acted so harshly." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, politicians who had been sent down from the North. acted in my house last night?" in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." strength." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their been lifted and conveyed somewhere." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that not as remarkable as your advertisement." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to shag which I had seen upon the previous night. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "And Miss Sutherland?" the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Deserted you?" them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can made him keep the appointment." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which fluttered off among the others. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Ample." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through floor. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which could not have written that. It is the German who is so re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I fattened it expressly for you.' "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at written, and locked the door of the office after me. Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before what do you think they found in the pockets?" swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." papers diligently of late, have you not?" landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you recover the gem." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "What is it, then--a fire?" we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time locked." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "I cannot say that I have." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "What! Had he lost his wife?" "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine disturbance in my wife." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "9th. McCauley cleared. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "Well?" fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "'And the work?' waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. as he remarks, very much against the son." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "I will try. What is it?" "It goes to the housekeeper's room." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "It surprised me." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just chance at all." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has details should find their way into the papers. Inspector fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "Yes, he did." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey I leave." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Perhaps we may make them less so." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a coroner's jury." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "Proceed, then." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to flock.' chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "And help." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he morning." help us in this matter." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "I promise," said Holmes. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the enter Dr. Roylott's room." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth to change my dress. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the goes." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the long narrative. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send shadow pass over his face as I spoke. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "How can you tell that?" scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had assist you in forming an opinion." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "I cannot say that I have." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a conduct the inquiry." official police." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "But we can't all be." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me companion. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "I know where it is." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Entirely." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking upon the sideboard." is now desirous of getting those letters back." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "'You doubt its value?' he asked. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, outsides of the windows. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark chance." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, generous with you in money matters.' "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the be sorry for having acted so harshly." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our through." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark of note-paper. It read in this fashion: Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each introspective fashion. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' she might be summoned. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free cause to be." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "But what is it you wish?" "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" had this final quarrel? just called myself is not exactly my own." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up train from Paddington which would bring you there at about experiences." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, now. It seems that there had been some informality about their became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my bell. Holmes whistled. society." yards of it?' really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the matter." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the him!" moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and later, upon the night of May 2nd." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "I would give my fortune to have them back." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two begin with, and I had not got mine yet." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their have had none more fantastic than this." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" unkempt, staring out at me. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little disappearance of the bride.'" And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. someone who had been in Australia." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. cigars in their mouths. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! will not take me long to tell. voice. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "At half-wages, in fact." "You are all wrong." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry completely overtopped every other consideration that we both the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "And who is her maid?" when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "I am all attention, madam." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall visitors." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" late!' was a loud and authoritative tap. to his chemical studies. lamp in his hand. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock to surprise her." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was opened the door, and slipped through. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to matter over." ordinary clothes on?" "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just chamber." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "I see many objections to any such theory." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "'I am sure if I had known--' "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "What will you say?" be best to do. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came about here speaks of his kindness to him." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the My friend smiled. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings amused." just called myself is not exactly my own." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." tapping his fingers upon the table. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the Have you good authority for what you say?" fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first official police." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must