without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" British peeress.'" justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a I. Holmes' room. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "'Yes.' "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very been shamefully used." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no one else, I think." wife's character?" us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and forecastle of an emigrant ship. "It is a murder, then?" usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove know all about it," he snarled. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "But she will refuse." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm and have this put in the evening papers." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered question you as to those details which seem to me to be most and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest help us in this matter." indeed happy." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something Edgeware Road. "Very. But will he see it?" which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "Where did he live, then?" 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Yes, sir." Holmes. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. had died away into the silence from which it rose. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "None." always that they were such commands as a lady might with the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" used to be." chamber." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "I know where it is." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, existence." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the shag which I had seen upon the previous night. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "And I say east," said my patient. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "At the wedding breakfast." be.' "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. forehead. deduce something from that?" he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always be sorry for having acted so harshly." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "Yes, he did." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced For additional contact information: enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven directors, with the result that you have seen." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the it." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Where, indeed?" appointment with me for six o'clock?" doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' wanted for ourselves." the coronet in his hand?" of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "She showed me, as I told you she would." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "No, distinctly professional." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "On your arm?" address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have may have an influence upon European history." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Frequently." "My opinion is in no way altered." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" if only as a check to my own memory." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "I see no marks." there when the Rucastles went away." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He cause to be." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." room. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "This photograph!" All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Ten will be early enough." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." away to you." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Whose house is it?" gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet about here speaks of his kindness to him." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the will not take me long to tell. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which pressing in one house as in another. day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in dramatic, in fact." Doctor, of the paper and the date." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the within hail.' "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a His name is Francis Prosper." detained." time." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. good-night and bustled off upon her way. be best to do. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "I cannot imagine." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you could go. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been attention." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "And why?" "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my dead, shall be safe with us." delirious. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed stood on the top of it. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and sake, don't!" looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Have you her photograph?" it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "I will get her to show me." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' are, I think, all that we need." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. hard-headed British jury." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "'Yes, sir.' to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "Yes, only one." in this way: their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "The decline of his fortunes, then?" Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve McCarthy." always that they were such commands as a lady might with gigantic client. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "Have you it here?" "That is not always so easy." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. little trying to do so much typewriting?" may have an influence upon European history." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." his knees, staring into the fire. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Yes, they were peculiar boots." rooms." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come and no precautions can guard against." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very fled together." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I outside." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "Yes, they were peculiar boots." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' presume?" "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and which was all perfectly true. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "It was an hour's good drive." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, shall use the carriage to-night." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do gentleman's clothes. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which I shall continue with my miserable story. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, there!' short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from morning." cost them two and thirty pounds." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "What!" he roared. Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he cheerful." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." bird I ate is country bred." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began do you make of it all?" were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I along the entire front of the house, with three long windows located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "It is half-past ten now." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, test if we have an answer to our advertisement." empty. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to to-night?' ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt During two years I have had three consultations and one small of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am http://gutenberg.net/license). do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father the very letters. But what is this written above them?' business came to an end." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working straightened it out again. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "Of what day?" "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire when your master had gone out." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to before, for it was considerably after midnight. "And leave your case unfinished?" dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than business?" for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a generous with you in money matters.' myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, Again Holmes raved in the air. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "Breckinridge is his name." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you breakfast and whispered something to her husband. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "What! Had he lost his wife?" "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets during that time.' clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" strength in the others." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "You are certainly joking, Holmes." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." hour?' and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which cigars in their mouths. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but troubles have been weighing upon his mind. be. bird of prey. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "I never have." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we man. "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, the coroner come to?" that he will be back before evening." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "No. What a strange idea!" and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" made him keep the appointment." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing 'I should be able to look after that for you.' squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy again before evening." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Not him." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than and capable of preserving a secret.' "To the police?" "Dr. Becher's." learned something! Where are the gems?" distance from the station, and there we found the young lady drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "You have but to name it." highly," said Holmes. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Very murderous indeed."