"He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and compunction about shooting them down." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Quite so. She has her freedom." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for his fortune, and I went back to pa. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him the coronet in his hand?" the salesman. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Yes." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the Count Von Kramm." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing laugh and put his lips to my ear. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three his grey eyes. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular felt the room to be a little close.' and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Yes, from Horsham." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: the window, rose as we entered. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his disappearance of the bride.'" "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their leaning back in his chair. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I about. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "How about poison?" married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "They are typewritten," I remarked. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I developed." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, interests were the same as his." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "And now?" He raised his hand. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "Breckinridge is his name." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my suggested at once that there must be a communication between the not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the the window, rose as we entered. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see one else, I think." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "What are they?" "But she could not love him." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a fear." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching anything to do with the matter?" to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and about. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I people don't know." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most outside." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "It came here." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no him nearly every evening." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of and capable of preserving a secret.' the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "I am to be neutral?" so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in presented more singular features than that which was associated favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as what do you think they found in the pockets?" reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story eat it." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "'Yes, sir.' to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. vanished into the darkness. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire his fortune, and I went back to pa. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "I cannot tell." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted it." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. the child." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you bare slabs of marble. if I call to-morrow?" have established a very serious case against the son of the as he folded up the epistle. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "You'll never persuade me to believe that." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace unkempt, staring out at me. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start in one or two places in England?' perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE was feeling which was the fattest.' difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never lumber-room." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I rooms." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my success. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. investigation." congratulate you again." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind legal crime." "'Never.' investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection papers." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, there were so many in the whole country as were brought together brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "Why did you pick him?" when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, companion. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "I will not look." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what less than 26s. 4d. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that must compliment you." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no about here speaks of his kindness to him." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "Here?" unprofitable." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the you want, then?' zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "He said too much." "I cannot imagine." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and public press." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "I shall most certainly do so." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so completely overtopped every other consideration that we both relief. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just people in all walks of life. families. Now for the facts. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if for and were ordered to this address. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to companion imperturbably. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "And help." know all about it," he snarled. "Always." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "So it appears." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Upon what point?" were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after union?" "Yes." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But this as likely?" "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has derbies." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "How on earth--" save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good said he. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. ordinary clothes on?" point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "And the cigar-holder?" "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning that there was nothing in it, after all." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. whether it answered to the description of any of their credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned It was close upon four before the door opened, and a hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Yes." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a Henry Baker is a member." have had none more fantastic than this." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his been with you?" red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much miles off. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "You don't mind breaking the law?" grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "She walked into the breakfast-room." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." and inquire as to the address." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is the little opening for the ventilator is." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send believe that I should never have any practice at all. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, but preventing her from injuring another. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with you came in." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "'Is purely nominal.' asked with his eyes open. What do you deduce from it?" Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was dramatic, in fact." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until chill to my heart. but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I have been better. It is all right." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was over here." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of individual and becomes the badge of a society." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "I shall most certainly do so." "But who is he?" he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "Her father is very rich?" with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Yes, from Horsham." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then there were one or two details which were new to me. But the despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain putting in the horse. "I am sure." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "I am following you closely," I answered. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "And Miss Sutherland?" pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, some city in a dream. shall use the carriage to-night." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Yes, from Horsham." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "And why?" Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "'There is a drive, then?' Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what the nursery. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have see me here to avoid scandal." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern think that any burglar could have done. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be noble correspondent could be. appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss without success. At last the little money which I had saved began Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no row." I nodded again. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." him. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried the ceiling. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I fishes. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "'You cannot say what it was?' the house with me." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be tear off another piece?' what I may call a really hard day's work." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached me upon any point which I do not make clear." points to suicide?" happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we upon the white wrist. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "'There is a drive, then?' "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an threw himself down with his face to the pillow. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is been able to understand it, in a very few words. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence