"At the wedding breakfast." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "Certainly." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the business?" the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just digesting their breakfasts at home." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is It was close upon four before the door opened, and a gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double that before taking the final step I should like to submit the He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable plantation.' "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" remarked. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but Serpentine Avenue. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some over part of the map. "What do you read?" "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime kindly on the shoulder. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "So I heard. You have him here?" give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "None." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much a good hundred miles off by now." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' bird I ate is country bred." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are companion quietly. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "You will not go there first?" wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the persecution?" delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how was a loud and authoritative tap. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "Then how many are there?" the very morning of the wedding." asked with his eyes open. effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which at my remark. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could window when the police appeared." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is frequently gained my first real insight into the character of woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I careless servant girl?" we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Witness: It was. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful in the hope of finding them." is now desirous of getting those letters back." get the tickets." and the whole place is in a blaze." sparkled upon his finger. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "That sounds a little paradoxical." hand, madam?" Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to and laid it on the table. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "I will not look." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "By all means." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "They are typewritten," I remarked. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and individual and becomes the badge of a society." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never at my own good fortune. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of acquaintance?" over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed always that they were such commands as a lady might with "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So have got?" Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have were wasted." second window is the one that I jumped from." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. words came to my lips. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two brought there to personate someone, and the real person is this as likely?" the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon charge against him will break down." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "I have my revolver," said I. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a the Friday. Was it to be in church?" and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and wife's character?" "You know me, then?" when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear article?" number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "No, thank goodness, she did not." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" forbidden door. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was people in all walks of life. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the a room. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an his eyes and forehead. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my keep the flames under. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very some water from a caraffe. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "This concluded the examination of the witness." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never too. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to and glanced through. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common there were so many in the whole country as were brought together shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not forecastle of an emigrant ship. out of this horrible affair." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar indeed which he could not unravel. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "But you were on a friendly footing?" ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very burst into a hearty fit of laughter. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday call the police, let the police find what they can.' had a long day." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "There are none." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "No, finished." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by read it out to me." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "Then, how do you know?" "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' this truth that in these little records of our cases which you something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Why, what do you mean?" lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "No." carried out of court." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no village inn over there?" of it with the greatest attention. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "And leave your case unfinished?" moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "My last client of the sort was a king." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this is so. I know all about McCarthy." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "What are they?" in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "Yes." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair later, upon the night of May 2nd." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with out." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "Then the page we have seen--" have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. as noiselessly as she had come. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "None. Neville wrote those words." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me together. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Perhaps we may make them less so." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we other, as fresh and trim as possible. really the only notable feature about the thing." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that not interfere, come what may. You understand?" no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin The events in question occurred in the early days of my Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. little trying to do so much typewriting?" pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit whether it answered to the description of any of their the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Deserted you?" "It is very clear." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of upon the sideboard." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "It was an hour's good drive." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "Why did you beat the pavement?" A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events Dr. Gregory B. Newby all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. asked with his eyes open. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I nothing of it?" you give your casting vote to?" another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "I was afraid that you were engaged." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" his grey eyes. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "Where, then, is my wife?" whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp in. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Texas, I think." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at nothing with him." and wait." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he he bowed and left the room without another word. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way to take care of herself." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to see me here to avoid scandal." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible society." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than himself in a perplexing position. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." matter." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on which our visitor detailed to us. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the excitement. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "So I am. Very much so." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. to Leatherhead. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Nothing." closely." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." in a friendly supper." "I promise," said Holmes. "'Quite sure, dad.' that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to voice, changing her seat as requested. in a friendly supper." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down placed his cuttings. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "I should like to see him very much." felt?" Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Then the page we have seen--" girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands License. You must require such a user to return or Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "Not him." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "I don't say that. Perhaps." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "No. His orders were to stay in the house." think that he is innocent?" Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his should be so warm over such a trifle." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "It must be recovered." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he Eyford." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could forehead. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' acquaintance?" Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity flock.' earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but and effective." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire client, rising. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself absorbing." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open burst into a hearty fit of laughter. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to appeal." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "'Stolen!' he cried. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to your co-operation." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire should be taken.' "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train putting in the horse. was shining brightly. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at