gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "But she will refuse." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger Henry Baker is a member." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' cheerful." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." done what I asked you, Jones?" Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall something of him before." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently thought that she would have been so carried away." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." intrusion of other matters." awaited us upon the table. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? some mystery and the punishment of some crime." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "I am following you closely," I answered. cost them two and thirty pounds." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the this truth that in these little records of our cases which you postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' bonnet, and went out." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old to some other building. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into soul! here is her carriage at the door." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save jewels which you have stolen?' until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' could go. may never be exposed to such a temptation." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but straighten it?" what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Ha! you find it so?" Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, have an American origin." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "How did you deduce the select?" expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "By all means." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "A greater distance to travel." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders did not hear it also.' he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," your co-operation." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three said I. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and sound at heart." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a been." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait might have a private word with us. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "No, my brougham is waiting." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. several quiet little villages up there." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "'Oh, no.' our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on of a light. For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of know all about it," he snarled. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when never came back." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." straightened it out again. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his shaken than I had ever seen him. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the of receipt of the work. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "Very. But will he see it?" "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Not yet." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal Leave Paddington by the 11:15." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "But not more so than I to find you." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry bonnet, and went out." his huge brown hands. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "I am to be neutral?" bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "What can it mean?" I gasped. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him of." open." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "I have hopes." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were handed it to him. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I several quiet little villages up there." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being humiliation." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back could go. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." the so-precious time, but come!' effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "Who by?" in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were His name is Francis Prosper." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over gone. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A tapping his fingers upon the table. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Then I am your man." entirely devoid of interest." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a row." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day have accepted such a situation. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last you for a few hours?" across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I is a common subject for conversation. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he enter into my head. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very considering the formidable letters which were received by himself 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "What, then, did Peterson do?" initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day was lame." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "Ten will be early enough." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that to-night?" I asked. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a it with his own hands." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into me have 200 pounds?' of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The was shining brightly. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately have established a very serious case against the son of the branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, problems help me to do so." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Who was the criminal, then?" along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "What will you do, then?" "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking third from London." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you the coronet in his hands?" "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a she used." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She might help us?" coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened politicians who had been sent down from the North. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced less than 26s. 4d. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "And now?" He raised his hand. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Murdered?" conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and examine." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "Always." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "Proceed, then." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my third from London." "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal morning." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "He slept on the premises." "But who is he?" always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There had picked up in the wood. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Ample." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, said I. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Ah!" platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for fuss that is made over them." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he than was visible to me." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from questionable one." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We cost them two and thirty pounds." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would the roots. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, official police." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET rat could hardly pass through." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master his fortune, and I went back to pa. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much time." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of drove away. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of for and were ordered to this address. great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few paper in the air. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale,