English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which views." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying cause to be." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a way: free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "My Mary? Impossible!" prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "No, my brougham is waiting." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. papers must be those that are destroyed.' bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons how narrow had been my escape. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "'Which dealer's?' him nearly every evening." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "Certainly, madam." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There or in danger--" quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of business in the City. She little knew what. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "Yes." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "'Certainly not. But why?' "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is strength of mind to control. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. with the outside air!" "Did you become engaged then?" without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was clanging. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never wedding?" which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Pray continue your narrative." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now appeared upon the scene." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been he died? electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to words came to my lips. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." papers." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. matter." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, room. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a photograph?" with her." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the business matters.' sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this evidence," I remarked. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "I will do it." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "'Certainly,' I answered. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "And the murderer?" The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in Street. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." and I shall be with you presently." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "Will you go?" "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson whereabouts. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began the salesman. yourselves in at night?" down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "My dear Holmes!" at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and questionable one." him. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No bore every mark of being an average commonplace British it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Her father is very rich?" and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "There is the writing." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened never will be, entirely cleared up. to-morrow." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my call you and give you the chance." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "A confidential servant?" "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future John Swain, of St. Augustine. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying awkward doing business with an alias." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "None." my friend's incisive reasoning. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the DISSOLVED. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "And your mother is alive?" we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the gives a meaning to it." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "And you thought he was pulled back?" left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small my friend's incisive reasoning. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "'Why that?' I asks. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that call for it in person on Monday morning.' not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "9th. McCauley cleared. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may God! What an exposure! What can I do?" words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "'Then let me do so?' "Not in a good cause." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her once more to my work. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the joking. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Eh? What was that?" remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "What I expected to see." "No sign of it?" been with you?" "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "I am still in the dark." "And you don't know his address?" so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father Cross for the Continent." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop was lame." not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." he. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his that he has suffered." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so legal crime." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in suddenly upon us." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "I see many objections to any such theory." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity and the whole place is in a blaze." about. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. mystery." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! yet." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few strong reason behind." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "Where, then, is my wife?" refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I round with crates and massive boxes. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to in this way: come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. wall." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come Miss Holder?" dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of your billet.' is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "But his lameness?" then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "She told me to ask you." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "I see many objections to any such theory." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Did you observe the colour?" lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. and inquire as to the address." writers could invent nothing more crude." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which me have 200 pounds?' occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, thought that she would have been so carried away." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, sound at heart." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "But how?" impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "The knees of his trousers." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "'Never.' every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' photograph a cabinet?" however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "'Which dealer's?' certainly do as you advise." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when I shall communicate with you." in this way: "Very murderous indeed." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "What then?" "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "'No, I know no one in these parts.' opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Yes, all." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "And what did you learn from him?" charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his call it cruel." posted to-day." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "And what did you learn from him?" me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he did not hear it also.' along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who address. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "Dr. Becher's." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! again." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I characteristics, but those are the more obvious." evidence," I remarked. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every as this. Pray let me have the details." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not fait accompli?" ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they Project Gutenberg-tm works. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" papers diligently of late, have you not?" have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come interests were the same as his." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "And how in the world did you find them?" a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and there." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "Witness: Nothing definite. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there it." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "I have come for advice." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "'It is locked up,' I answered. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "In heaven's name, what for?" Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back singular points about the case. What did the police think of the to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty down. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple hour." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this will not take me long to tell. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the trying to your nerves." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "Very murderous indeed." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the