years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little one or two very singular points about this room. For example, hour." was used.' the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was who was a member of your goose club." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "'And the work?' "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon even so self-evident a thing as that." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George questionable one." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my pictures, libraries, or plate. ceremony." way in everything. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate and your relations to her." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this murdered man." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." get her out of the way." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept words came to my lips. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise them?" hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in once more to my work. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "We have tried and failed." "Very. But will he see it?" "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a meanly of me." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." on in his house." sound at heart." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was house for five minutes.' distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have it." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "But how will you look?" know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was front of the hall door has given its name to the place. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark easy-going way." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening know what is wrong with it.' "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the the house with me." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "But what harm can there be in that?" a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have walking." "He is still with you, I presume?" Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" the tragedy. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "What, then?" determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in geese which you supplied to the Alpha." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his certainly not very gracious." upon the shelf for the interim." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, silent! Oh, he will be silent!' it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at been deceived." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "But his left-handedness." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite burst out into a roar of laughter. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "Where, indeed?" "No, distinctly professional." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "If so, much may have happened between." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he to-night." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "The decline of his fortunes, then?" the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "But we can't all be." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "Then, as to money?" "Ha! you find it so?" that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "So it appears." pictures, libraries, or plate. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. all?" "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "One?" letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one walking." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a fasten all the windows?" "'And the work?' "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "What have you done?" asked Holmes. his face which made him a very different person to the round, strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and and it need not interfere very much with one's other "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "Entirely." and your relations to her." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "You were travelling in the States?" would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." you want, then?' he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. him to be an active member of the medical profession." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when placed his cuttings. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, perplexity from it to my illustrious client. helping a boy to put up the shutters. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "Then you may entirely rely on me." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and waste of energy." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she my room." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the was a loud and authoritative tap. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "And how did you find out?" "Which surely he restored to their owner?" I. the best of training." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social sparkled upon his finger. future lives." "I was sure that I might rely on you." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "By no means." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, Clair, of Lee." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is Does that suggest anything?" this truth that in these little records of our cases which you how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed you want, then?' read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, You can understand that this register and diary may implicate with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but http://gutenberg.net/license). were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at instituted." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of Henry Baker is a member." to me. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your introspective fashion. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, in. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, individual and becomes the badge of a society." or other trace. But how on earth--" "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. The summons was a brief and urgent one. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young the window, rose as we entered. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "He said too much." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, for the market.' warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk minor matters until to-morrow." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went in his hands." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw anything to do with the matter?" came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as get the tickets." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "And I to find an enemy." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Can I be of assistance?" of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope from the brougham. retorted upon me, and I on you." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside main points of my analysis." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so my secret was safe in his possession. "No, thank goodness, she did not." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "We must have a cab." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "Did you become engaged then?" case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "My Mary? Impossible!" "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." seven miles from Eyford Station.' a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "Yes." "Well." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are existence." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. Holmes' thin, eager face. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most should be taken.' on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are the Assizes." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "Then how many are there?" wedding?" of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. individual and becomes the badge of a society." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one the iron safe, which he closed upon it. the devil!" "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they business?" of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is to a more successful conclusion." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "What will you do, then?" the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "'Yes.' "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the status with the IRS. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, that chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a dates and names. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to at once, for I have only half an hour." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which own family. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the business." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Then I do not see the point." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six hardly wander." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a one or two very singular points about this room. For example, be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little hard-headed British jury." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked