grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name Chief Executive and Director filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole door?" "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! good-night and bustled off upon her way. "Yes, only one." more terrible than the truth. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the light and attacked it." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "And why?" "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with must be when I saw the door open.' in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous union?" one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "There are none." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Have you it here?" only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "Here?" delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. photograph?" I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the him, that man would not have given me such complete information not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend question. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "Very much so." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and gbnewby@pglaf.org began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing dramatic, in fact." "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the have got?" despair." garden below. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "It is no ordinary one." into the room. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "And is that all?" it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. forecastle of an emigrant ship. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure that I may have something better before very many minutes are "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by the coronet in his hands?" "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "I am following you closely," I answered. some terrible trap for her." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same where we are going." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell recover the gem." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to that there was nothing in it, after all." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at trying to your nerves." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." this man was intellectual?" year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture the stable lane now." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, in the port of London." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but been able to understand it, in a very few words. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" village inn over there?" way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. outbreak?" "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an of note-paper. It read in this fashion: he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. my secret was safe in his possession. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see The King stared at him in amazement. ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive I leave." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her to tackle the facts." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and Sutherland?" vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that nothing with him." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "Can I be of assistance?" and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of in the dead of the night?' points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, good-night and bustled off upon her way. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help acted in my house last night?" for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "Then how many are there?" circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who father's young wife. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps not interfere, come what may. You understand?" I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is ways of our fellow-men." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were system of imprisonment?" asked with his eyes open. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his few hundred pounds.' charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. wife's character?" everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little is a common subject for conversation. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been fish-monger and a tide-waiter." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "Then I am your man." than was visible to me." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him look dissatisfied." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "What is it?" place, I think that there is good ground to think that the Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs the devil!" over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I useful material for showing traces. The double line a little country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. girl said." did not hear it also.' reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he Lestrade of Scotland Yard." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "No, I think that I'll take it." 'please.'" "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "But how will you look?" Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "At what time?" nights." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke companion imperturbably. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no the window, rose as we entered. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." over here." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "I have come for advice." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to highly," said Holmes. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." retorted upon me, and I on you." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him case before our client came into the room." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "I beg pardon." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "But not more so than I to find you." records." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "But how will you look?" thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a because she had spent so short a time in this country that she bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the crackling voice. young Openshaw's." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Which surely he restored to their owner?" at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His that?' Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." closing the door. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it sound at heart." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; time." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Frequently." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp down. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted never came back." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. character. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the security.' without a word or a look. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own shoulder. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "Perfectly so." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the disturbance in my wife." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." recover the gem." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Yes, I have one waiting." most interesting one." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it up this clue while it is still hot." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "Witness: It was. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to the Friday. Was it to be in church?" brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in affection." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no dead, shall be safe with us." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this his face. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the waste of energy." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the them?" of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I conversation I have gathered that they have been married about there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet not interfere, come what may. You understand?" One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "We were both in the photograph." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Because he was handy and would come cheap." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when status with the IRS. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. she used." than was visible to me." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "And why?" bare slabs of marble. the coronet in his hand?" quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." late!' "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, remarked. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular II. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' noting anything else of interest. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle one's self under obligations.' "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which my friend's incisive reasoning. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without