fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "That is possible." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "What can you not understand?" "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of DAMAGE. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do front of me. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "I will not look." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE must compliment you." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "Holmes, the busybody!" "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a sofa. This way, please!" aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works within hail.' the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "So I am. Very much so." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Well, it is a possible supposition." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "Stolen." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. and I shall be with you presently." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and was shining brightly. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "'You cannot say what it was?' and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "I don't believe it." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a danger is over." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "He might." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he know what is wrong with it.' had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in invisible to me," I remarked. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon opened a pocket-book and took out a note. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter Holmes rather sternly. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw Leave Paddington by the 11:15." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the you for a few hours?" and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found not personally threatened." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "'I am sure that I do not know.' There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" were new raised from a basin. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "No, I had a dozen." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another investigation." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of http://www.gutenberg.net "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. written. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. as yours." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." a room. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes annoyance, but no jest. "I cannot imagine." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "That you are never beaten." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in the devil!" slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "You have it, sir, just as it happened." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of way in everything. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors investigation." congenial hunt. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "'Oh, no.' friends, not even his own brother. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "He said too much." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. occurred." Countess of Morcar's?" both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Yes, sir." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. mysterious end." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Perfectly so." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot served to weaken the effect. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "And you don't know his address?" exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider opportunities to fix the problem. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "No, I think that I'll take it." will he say when he returns?" the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "Was there a secret marriage?" her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove stammered. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." records." "And why?" examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "But she will refuse." business at Coburg Square is serious." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried now. It seems that there had been some informality about their afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. straightened it out again. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the words came to my lips. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "It is his hat." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "It certainly sounds feasible." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and must be when I saw the door open.' distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided yards of it?' ashen face. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, late!' "It is possible." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy page at http://pglaf.org with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no evidence," I remarked. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be photograph?" "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the your most interesting statement." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those the bottom.' morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel meanly of me." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we other lovers by making love himself." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. was a perfect sample of the class. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Very murderous indeed." out of this horrible affair." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now see a sister of mine apply for." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "But you can know nothing of this?" His smile broadened. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Absolutely none." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "One of his hands." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present golden eyeglasses. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "If I can be of use." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. criminal. We have already had experience of such." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. The events in question occurred in the early days of my lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook My friend smiled. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something upon the white wrist. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "I will do it." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are it were putty." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the you?" have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "What, then?" these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "I beg pardon." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the that before taking the final step I should like to submit the do.' "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled horse could go." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Look there!" said he. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Never." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "The knees of his trousers." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four never will be, entirely cleared up. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "But I am all in the dark." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I his forehead." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture fled together." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." annoyance, but no jest. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty very morning of my second wedding." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "And on what day did he meet his death?" from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was against a man in the prime of life?" "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or cheerful." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have acted in my house last night?" "It's nothing of the kind." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. may never be exposed to such a temptation." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "But who is he?" secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Really! You surprise me." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of to surprise her." compunction about shooting them down." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I better grown goose." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident system of imprisonment?" and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of business came to an end." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to once more for Briony Lodge. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out the matter?" turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the gigantic client. "Was she in good spirits?" prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "He disappeared so suddenly." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "My opinion is in no way altered." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "In what way?" asked Holmes. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "But not more so than I to find you." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "She walked into the breakfast-room." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with address. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, murdered man." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it Mary, has deserted me." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other IS "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it appointment with me for six o'clock?" them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "A call for help, you thought?" cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without know what is wrong with it.' law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little the King without delay." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. views." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "About a month then." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. bedroom door." morning." "In San Francisco, a year ago." too. went to the Alpha were town bred."