side. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these until night should bring an explanation. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove might have a private word with us. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I felt?" happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. cost them two and thirty pounds." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "And sit in the dark?" "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are foot. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "No, I had a dozen." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works always that they were such commands as a lady might with to a light-house. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and rooms." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own least a fellow-countryman. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "You know me, then?" more solid." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "On your arm?" they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "And how have you succeeded?" built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own o'clock is it?" as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous closely." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion outside." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a searched, without anything being found which could incriminate astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "Why did you beat the pavement?" "Where, indeed?" "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "I am to be neutral?" companion. "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "I shall be delighted." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a served to weaken the effect. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave Watson," he said cordially. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter a suggestive one." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "To ruin me." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was writers could invent nothing more crude." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him your only hope of safety." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of have had none more fantastic than this." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger tear off another piece?' word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Why did you beat the pavement?" Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local because she had spent so short a time in this country that she returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be success. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank a very grave face. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain hair?' fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John for securing the situation." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need prepare for the new role I have to play." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian him." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "It was an hour's good drive." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and brought there to personate someone, and the real person is Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the II. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Perhaps I have." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a him and tried to hold him back. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "Married! When?" "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "He said too much." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, a little more before I quite committed myself. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me said I. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "Perhaps we may make them less so." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "You have but to name it." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "Here?" strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "So I am. Very much so." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand not come at once?" details should find their way into the papers. Inspector seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "So it appears." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has anything to a woman, for she would have her way." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered back into the street. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless grasp, he hurried from the room. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Then what has happened to him?" that, and I came down." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie green of the new foliage. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I in his power. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "No." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an present." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There he bowed and left the room without another word. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she evidence," I remarked. floor. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" his forehead." papers diligently of late, have you not?" He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "'Never,' said I. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Was your sister dressed?" interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the death." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "'Yes, I promise.' them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will chambers. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "How did that help you?" bell. Holmes whistled. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy case before our client came into the room." upon the sideboard." mysterious business." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the became a certainty. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." empty. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "How long did she speak to this Alice?" the little opening for the ventilator is." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a not as remarkable as your advertisement." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." to a light-house. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on fluttered off among the others. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened little trying to do so much typewriting?" "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." possible that we could bring him back to her? compunction about shooting them down." your room." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows papers diligently of late, have you not?" a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Well, but China?" learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "He is still with you, I presume?" I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will business." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the of his shoulders. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "None." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to Henry Baker is a member." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I in his hands." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently such person." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and following enigmatical notices: "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to What do you deduce from it?" headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "That is possible." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through upon a handsome competence. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest strength of mind to control. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more rose-bushes. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "But how?" client, rising. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "But not more so than I to find you." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." me. You must get home instantly and act." "You have compromised yourself seriously." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "My private note-paper." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "And now?" He raised his hand. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "Yes, from Horsham." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "What do you mean?" which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is away to you." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his o'clock is it?" value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "And your mother is alive?" "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from who was a member of your goose club." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian or in danger--" to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm the address that was given us in the advertisement. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much business at Coburg Square is serious." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the not interfere, come what may. You understand?" came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "And did you observe any change in her then?" "In San Francisco, a year ago." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "That is unusual in a young girl." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to less than 26s. 4d. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause my special province." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "You have carte blanche." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a dead, shall be safe with us." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a with the outside air!" doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was Sholtos." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my presented more singular features than that which was associated my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is Stoke Moran." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I him nearly every evening." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "And how?" which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He indiscretion." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes already referred to. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently threw himself down with his face to the pillow. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We intrusion of other matters." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California into her hand at the door and which lured her within their obstinate." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous details should find their way into the papers. Inspector 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: