"'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "And how have you succeeded?" as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped affection." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "I am all attention, madam." "Then what has happened to him?" "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "You have carte blanche." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Yes, at the mines." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the tightly behind him. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "None." what do you think they found in the pockets?" and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." the ceiling. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "What! You do not mean bodies?" the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, upon a handsome competence. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "Then I am your man." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "Ah, but I was recommended to you." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or room had already been engaged for us. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. to surprise her." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "'Certainly not.' which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but foresight and the moral retrogression?" misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "We must sit without light. He would see it through the into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. that you saw all that I did." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his Miss Holder?" "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he The police have openly confessed that they can at present make slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "Witness: I must still refuse. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible useful material for showing traces. The double line a little information in his hands the value of which he did not himself there has been an enclosure here!" your bag." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which time." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are salesman. "It is solved." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. me where it went to?" "My Mary? Impossible!" contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "I think that I had better go, Holmes." ordinary clothes on?" his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar and shall probably return to London by the evening train." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "Can I be of assistance?" "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked that he has suffered." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this grasp, he hurried from the room. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely galvanised. to tackle the facts." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Yesterday." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "Nothing?" "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. brain must have something in it." "You have but to name it." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt province." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of interest. They are important, you understand, without being papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this that you saw all that I did." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "Texas, I think." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "Yes, the wine-cellar." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a Pool. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "Bought." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the now. It seems that there had been some informality about their wife's character?" to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Well, some hundreds of times." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. was a lad." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "What is it, then--a fire?" go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." spark where all is dark to me." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "Ample." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we hands. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my get her out of the way." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no my secret was safe in his possession. my special province." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. in this way: XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET once more. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are happened." was used.' "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with examine." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it experiences." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of conceal it?" me have 200 pounds?' light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and carried out of court." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences had formerly been in part my own. fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever posted to-day." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to anything to do with the matter?" wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open has little to do with my story." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It which are rolled in Rotterdam." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, out." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded the Friday. Was it to be in church?" As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "But you were on a friendly footing?" not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our ourselves in the office." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "How many? I don't know." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Why serious?" "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey useful material for showing traces. The double line a little there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm habit of advancing money.' and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you do." Doctor, of the paper and the date." letters?" snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been country, and eventually married, without anyone having a explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your delirious. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "I think that I had better go, Holmes." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment over here." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old Chief Executive and Director "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "An enemy?" three fields round his house, and there he would take his unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur vague figure huddled up in the darkness. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who trying to your nerves." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room shaken than I had ever seen him. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "Really! You surprise me." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In guilty parties." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "It is a murder, then?" "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "You have it, sir, just as it happened." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' affair. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it said Mr. Holder. "9th. McCauley cleared. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one of the efforts of the United States government and of the better until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "But the mystery?" Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "'Entirely.' lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Who by?" "Your French gold?" "Yes, sir." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." not fit the lock." as he folded up the epistle. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "But what will you do?" "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "What do you mean?" from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate Gutenberg-tm License. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "From his hat?" "I should wish to." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "By no means." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding to you." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she will find little credit to be gained out of this case." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect appeared upon the scene." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a touch that coronet?' going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to and I shall be with you presently." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by papers on the sundial.'" "'Stolen!' he cried. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "What of the rat, then?" met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. distinguish the words: "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." man. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in