***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which will he say when he returns?" "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "Look there!" said he. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "Ah!" jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in in him." what I may call a really hard day's work." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I future lives." "10th. John Swain cleared. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and down. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the at a side door. my friend's incisive reasoning. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can written. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done matter over." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, your billet.' "'Is purely nominal.' unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "What can it mean?" I gasped. "I am all attention, madam." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "A greater distance to travel." "Why? What do you mean?" 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Get out!" said he. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," key turn in the lock." cigar and let me expound." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature residence of the great financier. "I am armed." place of silver." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have do you make of it all?" The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high me upon any point which I do not make clear." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "Pray let us have it, for all that." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of mystery." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there way in everything. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and mysterious end." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "Yes?" little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "And how?" "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms green of the new foliage. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. long narrative. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "Pray do so." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly it." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch enter into my head. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. the coronet at all injured?" course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a like gravel from a pit.' Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "'Yes.' observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is what is your own theory as to what took place?" His smile broadened. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate test if we have an answer to our advertisement." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the and laid it on the table. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "I cannot as yet see any connection." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the prison!" "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of charged with?" A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon hopeless attempt at recovering them." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "BALLARAT." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and the house with me." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "I am to be neutral?" "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." corner of the building. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. quickly through a disagreeable task. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." to affect your life." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "Yes." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "What! You do not mean bodies?" other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "And when will you call?" people in all walks of life. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "You did not overhear what they said?" whole matter to your consideration." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down IS Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together province." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your second." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway could go. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his will find little credit to be gained out of this case." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what said he, "my real name is James Ryder." entirely lost his self-respect." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" fat-encircled eyes. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "You are hungry," I remarked. were unconscious?" idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, and shall probably return to London by the evening train." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which dramatic, in fact." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "But what will you do?" whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, soul! here is her carriage at the door." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up kind enough to tell me what I should do." highly," said Holmes. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. awkward doing business with an alias." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." once more to my work. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "'And the work?' "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself over part of the map. "What do you read?" as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A help us in this matter." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "Yes." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. and wait." floor. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Here?" "And how did you verify them?" appointment with me for six o'clock?" hour." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "'I am sure if I had known--' "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were use an arc-and-compass breastpin." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she this unhappy family?" Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to one of the states of the Union." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, think that any burglar could have done. occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "It is possible." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told disappearance of these gems?" approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "How do you know, then?" in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a use an arc-and-compass breastpin." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle happened." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. tension within him. "Really! You surprise me." wife's character?" his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, the warnings." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming in his power. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" spark where all is dark to me." "Dr. Becher's." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all developed." was shining brightly. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was in one or two places in England?' "'Yes, sir.' firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "What then?" every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely meant." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. which are rolled in Rotterdam." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider British peeress.'" "My opinion is in no way altered." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. happened." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the name is different." "Was there a secret marriage?" passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Of what?" upon the shelf for the interim." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his to-morrow." ventilator." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the yards of it?' stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the away into the river." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "'Yes, it was gone.' come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and and have this put in the evening papers." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "It was." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian your Highness to the police-station?" "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Yes, it would be as well." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" security.' "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never fasten all the windows?" "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near been anything against him. He had for years been known as a Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle in his hands." "'What, the red-headed man?' Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a