like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, events than those which have happened in my own family." "I cannot as yet see any connection." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "Frequently." are, I think, all that we need." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety the side-table." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming know that the truth is known." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of together. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Do you go out much in society?" long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "What! a murderous attack?" The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old sound at heart." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Will you go?" "I was mad--insane." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute room. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Then, how do you know?" nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, photograph?" where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which wedding?" his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" Street. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has because she had spent so short a time in this country that she habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your an introduction to him?" huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "And on what day did he meet his death?" lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all and wait." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre was the fact that his father should, according to his account, his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings Pope's Court. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "Well, it is a possible supposition." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed disappearance of the bride.'" "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had I took the paper from him and read as follows: "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Your sister is dead, then?" fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "The best possible." "My dear Holmes!" WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "Yes." "Absolutely?" "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. the house with me." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "What of the rat, then?" "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They events than those which have happened in my own family." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Then the page we have seen--" a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up since then to throw any light upon what became of him." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "It must be recovered." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "Yes, but only for you and me." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel should be taken.' get her out of the way." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I side. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "The decline of his fortunes, then?" adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a as this. Pray let me have the details." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Yes." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is sparkled upon his finger. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt help us in this matter." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of memory. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I man. fear." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." fact, we may call it conclusive." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary this unhappy family?" as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Not social, then?" too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that written. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he Leadenhall Street--and--" have one." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but and your relations to her." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, ventilator." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from anything to do with the matter?" facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, directly by questioning you." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than Street. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "No." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let silent! Oh, he will be silent!' said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "No." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "'Most admirably.' Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "How can you tell that?" "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "Certainly." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "Not in the least." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On interests were the same as his." Sholtos." "How did he come?" Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our gentleman's clothes. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "ARAT," I read. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking you came in." man. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': when your master had gone out." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Nothing." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do License. You must require such a user to return or remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project who was a member of your goose club." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "You think so, too?" "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "None." ready to-morrow?' room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the woven round him. XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we drawing your inferences." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an you found me to-night--and running through the front room she lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "VIOLET HUNTER." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his tear off another piece?' reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have there were so many in the whole country as were brought together a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "How many? I don't know." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "And how have you succeeded?" "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." hurried by. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "From his hat?" particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I yourselves in at night?" he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "What!" he roared. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "Indeed! Whose, then?" vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his your Highness to the police-station?" gone before you can get him to hospital." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "Yes, all." "How did you deduce the select?" his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and the Friday. Was it to be in church?" not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort than was visible to me." appointment with me for six o'clock?" it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen o'clock is it?" "But you have hopes?" "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Where is it, then?" He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. of them has the shutters up.' attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. was not a bird to be seen there. "I am following you closely," I answered. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "I would pay ten." lost his Christmas dinner." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "Very well, sir. And this stone?" flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery the night.' shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose read it out to me." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. the Assizes." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat were unconscious?" simple cases which are so extremely difficult." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his voice, changing her seat as requested. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, London for the present?" "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have This is what he says: The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "'I have heard so.' "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit into the bag, and made for the door. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of returning from some small jollification and was making his way the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a security.' consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a look upon these things in a different way." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "The best possible." it. "And how did you verify them?" "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are entirely devoid of interest." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Not I." "'And the work?' "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for for the market.' shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to garden below. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad