first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. which it had come upon my father." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a letters?" and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "Ah!" said I. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "It may not come to that," said Holmes. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "Pray do so." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, closely." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make and put his glass in his pocket. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "And I." "'What then?' I asked. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said *** START: FULL LICENSE *** hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? south, for the country is more deserted there." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a works. See paragraph 1.E below. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when companion quietly. and put his glass in his pocket. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon Eyford." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the matters immensely." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, writers could invent nothing more crude." fire. You quite follow me?" "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. me upon any point which I do not make clear." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with tied." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are carpenter." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right Heh?' crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "And why in hopes?" a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have passage and a tap at the door. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "'What then?' I asked. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he asked. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should what is your own theory as to what took place?" "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth as he remarks, very much against the son." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress works. See paragraph 1.E below. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I gives a meaning to it." "Holmes, the busybody!" strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the Holmes' thin, eager face. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me leaning back in his chair. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the beg that you will break it off." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "'Certainly not.' frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "By train from Waterloo." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings a suggestive one." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your you understand?" had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a better in every way that they should make their position a little Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands everything which you would wish to know." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House followed. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than out." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. tail." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have questioning and rather startled gaze. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and considering the formidable letters which were received by himself was it brought him the coronet? eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every relief. "But you can know nothing of this?" coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. grasp, he hurried from the room. was a perfect sample of the class. cost them two and thirty pounds." bled considerably." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There your troubles." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "None." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." suddenly upon us." interest. They are important, you understand, without being "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "I am sure." villagers almost as much as their master. "Have you her photograph?" disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary forehead. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "I will get her to show me." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is woman." interest. They are important, you understand, without being Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in events, Mr. Windibank!" How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' the so-precious time, but come!' diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the only touch the interest." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "Your French gold?" which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "I don't believe it." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which Watson," he said cordially. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "And Miss Sutherland?" his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "I was sure that I might rely on you." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I always that they were such commands as a lady might with am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. could go. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others himself to hunt down. of the vacancies.' the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father bearing upon the case." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Yes, he did." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "Why serious?" which should have the effect of calling the attention of the we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the discontent upon his features. Gutenberg-tm License. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a bore every mark of being an average commonplace British lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I back alive. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "Not yet." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "Why, what do you mean?" and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go morning." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with bears upon the case?" "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" will not take me long to tell. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Dr. Becher's." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they which should have the effect of calling the attention of the steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the your troubles." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider residence of the great financier. "Tired-looking or fresh?" savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not the nursery. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "'As governess?' "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "No." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I not within a twentieth part of the market price." derbies." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his *** START: FULL LICENSE *** answer." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. the nursery. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred congratulate you again." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed respectable self." despaired of." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I with some details as to your case." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which indeed which he could not unravel. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in and I shall be with you presently." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Not I." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Who by?" and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right examine." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You wedding?" 1.E.9. His name is Francis Prosper." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies this Miss Turner." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "But it has twice been burgled." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on with frightened eyes at his accuser. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, could go. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the tell them apart.' reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. begun to whiten, even as mine has." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony disappearance of the bride.'" housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but Street. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "Which surely he restored to their owner?" dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds lips." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our and no precautions can guard against." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, nonsense.' were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and during which he might have communicated with his friend the and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of some mystery and the punishment of some crime." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without in. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Not in a good cause." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "What can it mean?" I gasped. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and is four-and-twenty." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "I was afraid that you were engaged." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little appointment with me for six o'clock?"