fatally injured? States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been results." flock.' "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your weighed down with some great anxiety. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." keep the flames under. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "Always." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, me what he had done with the three missing stones. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "And how?" When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "Yes." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, there has been an enclosure here!" Holmes. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." for the market.' "I will, Miss Turner." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Where to?" five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the Street. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a residence of the great financier. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "But what harm can there be in that?" and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "'Most admirably.' finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "ARAT," I read. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar charged with?" scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Well, some hundreds of times." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the locked." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." astonishment. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on in the dead of the night?' eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of ordinary clothes on?" you?' drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and The police have openly confessed that they can at present make blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "He disappeared so suddenly." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman a suggestive one." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not but preventing her from injuring another. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but leave you to your papers for a little." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "'I have heard so.' For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," gone. before, for it was considerably after midnight. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and leave you to your papers for a little." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Quite so." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it Sutherland. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Then he might have called to you?" that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the orange pips. after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "But who is he?" never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his Eyford." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "So I have heard." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from room?" all?" livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "But of what society?" greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to I took the paper from him and read as follows: being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "'I am sure that I do not know.' road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." horse could go." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones to miss it." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "What, then?" the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes away in different directions, and I went off to make my own without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. in his power. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You not, dad?" she asked. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his so.' prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester key turn in the lock." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man ways of our fellow-men." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore the very letters. But what is this written above them?' mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "And the murderer?" merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to seven miles from Eyford Station.' instituted." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "Get out!" said he. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. infinite languor in his face. "And leave your case unfinished?" "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and writer." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "You have but to name it." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge criminal. We have already had experience of such." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You in. despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant companion quietly. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Certainly." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "But I am all in the dark." "Which are?" drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "He might." During two years I have had three consultations and one small "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general over with notes and figures. indeed happy." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and get her out of the way." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive the station." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't I shall continue with my miserable story. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. asked. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the works. See paragraph 1.E below. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems unclasping of his long thin hands. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the you." she might be summoned. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "Never." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "No good news?" appeared upon the scene." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid go from here to the Strand." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "And your father? Did you tell him?" the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously help us in this matter." dramatic, in fact." house for five minutes.' "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of John Swain, of St. Augustine. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "And now?" He raised his hand. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the stalked out of the room. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "'There is a drive, then?' "I was sure that I might rely on you." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." green of the new foliage. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "In the cells." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and hands. "Perhaps I have." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "And Miss Sutherland?" eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary vague figure huddled up in the darkness. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "I cannot as yet see any connection." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "So it appears." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Never." "Nothing?" square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. 11:15.' pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "Frequently." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the delighted to hear it," he said. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." important." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most everything which you would wish to know." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "That is also quite modern," said the lady. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be I leave." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the the bed, and you in that chair." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, my special province." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "You have a clue?" "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side ran thus: in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "Not social, then?" should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest my secret was safe in his possession. Eyford." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite in the hope of finding them." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "Yes, I have one waiting." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, friends, not even his own brother. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "One of the highest in England." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his the matter?" as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, which are rolled in Rotterdam." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "You have compromised yourself seriously." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said that I may have something better before very many minutes are "'Which dealer's?' young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with allusion to a rat. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. and the church but not where the lady lived." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their as he remarks, very much against the son." handed it to him. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Yes, sir." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "And how in the world did you find them?" "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he a few minutes he said that it would be all right.