to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in congratulate you again." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate business matters.' soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "I beg pardon." "The Coroner: What do you mean? crime. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of mystery!" the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous trifles." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of question," said Holmes, smiling. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "Precisely." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There eavesdroppers?' really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. kindly on the shoulder. believe that I should never have any practice at all. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "You think so, too?" of them has the shutters up.' and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated case-book, which he consulted. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had may never be exposed to such a temptation." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and three fields round his house, and there he would take his veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand nice household for a young lady." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a was feeling which was the fattest.' impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Where to?" once more for Briony Lodge. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good reach." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "And now?" I asked. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the pressing in one house as in another. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "No. What a strange idea!" days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "But how?" this remarkable episode. it." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth against a man in the prime of life?" was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than meanly of me." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for of the vacancies.' the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "My last client of the sort was a king." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. himself. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Come in!" said he. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless signal between you and your father? bare slabs of marble. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Not in a good cause." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always I shall communicate with you." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the I held the little printed slip to the light. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End subject to the trademark license, especially commercial From what you have told me I think that it is possible that where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a again before evening." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for which should have the effect of calling the attention of the an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door empty. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew me." matter." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "No." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, the station." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may for its centre. 11:15.' standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a within hail.' eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his go from here to the Strand." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the fait accompli?" "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No envelope. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "It came here." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has with the outside air!" wedding?" whole matter to your consideration." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may upon an income of about 60 pounds." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are knowledge of the world." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "At the wedding breakfast." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try locked. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. nights." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, begun to whiten, even as mine has." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "'As governess?' dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with this unhappy family?" her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door extraordinary contortions. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you Serpentine Avenue. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" ceremony." then?" and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "What steps will you take?" I asked. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "I don't say that. Perhaps." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon tear off another piece?' and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and plantation.' state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal a few minutes he said that it would be all right. power." "It looks newer than the other things?" "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "The Coroner: What do you mean? pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at something of him before." "VIOLET HUNTER." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "9th. McCauley cleared. while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered words came to my lips. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Proceed, then." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of was once confined in the cab my mission was practically every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "And what did you see?" but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "It is half-past ten now." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the second window is the one that I jumped from." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "On the contrary, this is the right side." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "And how have you succeeded?" vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold ceremony." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Stolen." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent the running down." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under way in everything. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the it." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" hour?' the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on that of your young ladies.' "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; if only as a check to my own memory." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "He said too much." depend upon my doing so.' our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been village inn over there?" "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now excitement. of Mr. Rucastle's." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense direction." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "'I shall certainly be there.' Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. your troubles." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in and a shock of very red hair. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "What will you say?" full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an my former friend and companion. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "It goes to the housekeeper's room." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I keep the flames under. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. laugh and put his lips to my ear. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me open." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend purpose of examination. "But you can know nothing of this?" "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "'What do you call purely nominal?' question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." meanly of me." that I am arrested." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall our word." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into companion. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' Project Gutenberg-tm works. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary brain must have something in it." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Absolutely?" begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to the dangers which encompass me." jewels which you have stolen?' it." wedding?" that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." fluttered off among the others. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "Yes." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where the King without delay." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask a good hundred miles off by now." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my carried out of court." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "'I have heard so.' my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be as this. Pray let me have the details." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from excitement. through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you