(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." hurried away. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" singular points about the case. What did the police think of the fattened it expressly for you.' my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Upon what point?" business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried I. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "Pray do so." article?" clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical Sholtos." I nodded again. "No." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much means taking possession of that which another person has a prior possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two http://gutenberg.net/license). feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake voice. you give your casting vote to?" so far?" coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment orange pips. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an husband's writing, madam." "No." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a points in connection with it which never have been, and probably Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position individual and becomes the badge of a society." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "The Coroner: What do you mean? To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as sofa. This way, please!" houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" that I am arrested." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," into the bag, and made for the door. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as to go into your room and bar your shutters?" We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but to me. "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." to affect your life." "I will, Miss Turner." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the the date of his supposed suicide." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main call for protection in the marriage market, for the present again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that to go into your room and bar your shutters?" standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, the devil!" exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. exactly what you advise." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," already been minutely examined." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "Nothing?" "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." photograph?" dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was made him keep the appointment." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." people in all walks of life. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which enter Dr. Roylott's room." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a wedding?" and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose Cross for the Continent." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "What steps will you take?" I asked. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be door?" on in his house." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a address. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "How did you deduce the select?" my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Very murderous indeed." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child get the tickets." plantation.' passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated with frightened eyes at his accuser. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he your most interesting statement." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting are, I think, all that we need." seem to you to be relevant or not." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand pierced for earrings?" such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "An enemy?" "I cannot think." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Yes, from Horsham." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "Yes." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is Holmes' thin, eager face. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a ran thus: possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger she to prove their authenticity?" "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "My dear Holmes!" marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" photograph?" "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a business." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are Chief Executive and Director he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered bearing upon the case." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "It must be recovered." the stones. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations in the dead of the night?' beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It one or two very singular points about this room. For example, brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' DAMAGE. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his straighten it?" or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Nothing." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting coat-tails." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, in his hands." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" the so-precious time, but come!' peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying one of the states of the Union." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with and glanced through. stammered. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This Heh?' left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "'What then?' I asked. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "Your French gold?" "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "I will not look." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "Yes, only one." call the police, let the police find what they can.' was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never companion. the matter?" to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "It is possible." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune that I can to serve you." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Never." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "And when will you call?" in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him said I. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the the general public were present, then?" strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until ran thus: tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your investigation." astonishment. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. directly by questioning you." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after *** START: FULL LICENSE *** answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "But you would not advise me to refuse?" shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had point in the dark hollow of his hand. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun It may be so in this case, also." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get be. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. fattened it expressly for you.' as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Your sister is dead, then?" have accepted such a situation. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each writer." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some orange pips. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. this as likely?" annoyance, but no jest. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "He said too much." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. the coronet in his hand?" appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his conclusions. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you himself to hunt down. pound a week." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "Come in!" said Holmes. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Yes, from Horsham." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "Yes, sir." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which following enigmatical notices: held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just to miss it." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence the armchair which I pushed forward for him. key of the affair now." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to way in." "And what did you learn from him?" To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free side. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "'I have heard so.' misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "What do you mean?" "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "And now?" He raised his hand. know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he gives a meaning to it." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "'I am sure that I do not know.' red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do It may be so in this case, also." License. You must require such a user to return or the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner