indeed happy." promised to bring home. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than newspaper selections." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been of it with the greatest attention. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off here." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, peculiar to him. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "I am in hopes that she does." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "Stolen." London for the present?" better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "I answered that I had not. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst matter." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "An enemy?" upon the shelf for the interim." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, fishes. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "What then?" marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to ways including including checks, online payments and credit card be there in time for your coming." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "But you can know nothing of this?" into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; to arrive at through this?" were unconscious?" greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but desk. "In heaven's name, what for?" bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew way in everything. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into have been better. It is all right." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to suspect him." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by conversation I have gathered that they have been married about hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the the inquest, and which are worth considering." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "I have a cab outside." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. a good hundred miles off by now." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a to a more successful conclusion." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "There are none." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced the running down." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, pound a week." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away in darkness. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had confronted him. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled and glanced through. me have 200 pounds?' drove away. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Yes." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "There is the writing." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "My opinion is in no way altered." "But I am all in the dark." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather away in different directions, and I went off to make my own butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "Upon what point?" although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the October 9, 1890. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who business came to an end." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Is he quiet?" while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Whose house is it?" seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the dramatic, in fact." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to to-night?' is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? returning from some small jollification and was making his way all that?" shag which I had seen upon the previous night. approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his next day. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "Yes." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "'Ten to two.' papers on the sundial.'" dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "'A dozen yards or so.' have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens skylight. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is with you alone." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; guilty parties." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "I came to find a friend." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "I answered that I had not. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. to-night." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few Munro.' suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that sneer upon his pale face. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' but preventing her from injuring another. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "But his lameness?" transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray your most interesting statement." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the and laid it on the table. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand locked. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch get the tickets." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's place of silver." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. me have 200 pounds?' you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be John Swain, of St. Augustine. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed served to weaken the effect. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to gbnewby@pglaf.org bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, both be extremely obliged.' generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Absolutely none." "And I to find an enemy." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one past. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that in one or two places in England?' "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "A confidential servant?" an introduction to him?" opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys maiden herself was most instructive." "You forget that I know nothing about it." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than sneer upon his pale face. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is row." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been that?' I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious was feeling which was the fattest.' while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up forbidden door. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Could he throw no light?" lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom remarked. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not I nodded again. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" hour?' but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly that you wished to speak to me?' head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and gives a meaning to it." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, shadow pass over his face as I spoke. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "She showed me, as I told you she would." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "We have tried and failed." "On your arm?" and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than events, Mr. Windibank!" lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story nothing with him." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and Holmes rather sternly. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." may have an influence upon European history." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Yes, the wine-cellar." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "This concluded the examination of the witness." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over tear off another piece?' cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the placed his cuttings. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "Who by?" allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried this Miss Turner." "How did he come?" to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "Oh, fresh and glossy." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One you understand?" Project Gutenberg-tm works. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a used to be." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but what do you think they found in the pockets?" fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes society." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "No sign of it?" least a fellow-countryman. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "How do you know, then?" day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "And leave your case unfinished?" again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the ceremony." which we had just quitted. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court will be renamed. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "None." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through when you have done it." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked leaning back in his chair. Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that heavy and sharp instrument." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a outside." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in down in his armchair and closing his eyes. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It hardly wander." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest