something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "One?" assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's so.' expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond putting in the horse. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy and looked back. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, leaning back in his chair. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible Have you good authority for what you say?" fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father becomes even more simple." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, possible that we could bring him back to her? I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of rooms." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my had picked up in the wood. access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently overpowering excitement and concern. But Holmes shook his head gravely. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Get out!" said he. miles off. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him daring than any effort of the imagination." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. three of the beryls in it, was missing. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "No more words. Get out!" upon the white wrist. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" what do you think they found in the pockets?" investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a obstinate." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my lids now and glanced across at his visitor. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name spark where all is dark to me." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "At half-wages, in fact." to surprise her." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," bare slabs of marble. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "No, I am descending." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "I will try. What is it?" deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "I should like to see him very much." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me window when the police appeared." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic situation." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is you give your casting vote to?" with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had of fine shops and stately business premises that they really from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could important." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "He might." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "No good news?" his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be notes," he said. of Mr. Rucastle's." your sleep?' Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. what these perils are?" known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell some city in a dream. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." has little to do with my story." Miss Holder?" have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "Well, it is a possible supposition." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "The vanishing of the lady." congenial hunt. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "It missed him, then?" "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these other, as fresh and trim as possible. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me tail." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' lamp. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon some mystery and the punishment of some crime." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "And from a noble client?" room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a which are rolled in Rotterdam." the bed, and you in that chair." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "But how?" "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she that I am arrested." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "'Yes, sir.' of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the companion. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said towards the blaze. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. too. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "I will do it." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "My Mary? Impossible!" way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something lumber-room." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "My dear Holmes!" "He slept on the premises." situation." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as never came back." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel London for the present?" And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "None." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, returned to France?" "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the night.' said he. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "What, then, did Peterson do?" hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "And is that all?" sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, to-morrow." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "He said that you could solve anything." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "I will not look." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless enough to aid us in our search." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "Why did you beat the pavement?" with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a on in his house." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones against a man in the prime of life?" "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of if I call to-morrow?" their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "It is very clear." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work learned something! Where are the gems?" hair?' prisoner's face. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight distinguish the words: can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid indiscretion." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "I have hopes." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a there when the Rucastles went away." the Red-headed League." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "But how?" threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "I will, Miss Turner." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that as he folded up the epistle. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My me. You must get home instantly and act." happened." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "When did she vanish, then?" takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely your own bird, so if you wish--" blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet followed. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting approach us with offers to donate. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. figure." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety conceal it?" "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "I will get her to show me." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "'About the same.' the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "No legal papers or certificates?" McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. your bag." go back?" "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the entirely devoid of interest." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for closely." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it less than 26s. 4d. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our any." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your I was concerned in it." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls or other trace. But how on earth--" "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. orange pips. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." over here." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too without success. At last the little money which I had saved began was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel have one." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "We have tried and failed." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring from you?" fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "'And what are they worth?' I asked. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "So it appears." have not had my rubber." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder Edgeware Road. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "And Miss Sutherland?" lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "Where did he live, then?" which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, knowledge of the world." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Was he the only applicant?" extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my your troubles." there in twenty minutes." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of front of the hall door has given its name to the place. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you breakfast." dates and names. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your figure." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "I warn you that they are very incomplete." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal exactly what you advise." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety shaken than I had ever seen him. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you and the whole place is in a blaze." and I shall be with you presently." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after feature." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may depend upon your compliance." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Yes." interest. They are important, you understand, without being besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal him, that man would not have given me such complete information "I cannot tell." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your astonishment. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "So it appears." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he morning." the King without delay." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "I am about to be married." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous.