you." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian is," said he presently: about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely used to be." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and McCarthy's innocence. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water letters?" had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William and wait." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, generous with you in money matters.' was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Was there a secret marriage?" building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography advice." Watson," he said cordially. http://gutenberg.net/license). matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "In the cells." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to families. Now for the facts. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Nothing." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of License. You must require such a user to return or newspaper selections." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and visitors." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked the child." "An accident, I presume?" carried out of court." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, it." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "No, but the enclosure is." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few which are rolled in Rotterdam." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching young Openshaw's." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that hardly wander." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "And what did you see?" "And what then?" son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the conclusions. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "There are none." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Get out!" said he. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "Imitated." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to official police." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf digesting their breakfasts at home." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "She showed me, as I told you she would." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. and the whole place is in a blaze." of a light. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and http://gutenberg.net/license). "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." business?" crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "Entirely." "But you were on a friendly footing?" remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "Very. But will he see it?" headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "What?" did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry manager. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There existence." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes of them has the shutters up.' "Not I." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "I am to be neutral?" "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong and put his glass in his pocket. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that heavy and sharp instrument." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and opened the door, and slipped through. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "I should wish to." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I disappearance of these gems?" "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he see a sister of mine apply for." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is furiously. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may http://gutenberg.net/license). a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "You have but to name it." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, for securing the situation." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in opportunities to fix the problem. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them coroner's jury." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and letters?" triumphant cloud from his cigarette. to Leatherhead. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in since then to throw any light upon what became of him." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "She will not sell." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method the window, rose as we entered. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "Stolen." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "Not in a good cause." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the you want, then?' "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "I assure you that I am in your hands." is four-and-twenty." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a strong and stiff." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "There is the writing." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "What! a murderous attack?" were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Yes?" left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way if she died from some sudden fright." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never said he, "my real name is James Ryder." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK felt?" product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. beyond words. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the upon a handsome competence. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did presented which may be striking and bizarre without being she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a to take care of herself." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, she slowly sank and died without having recovered her upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My door?" You want to know what became of those geese?" her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and all that?" "And now?" I asked. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same which it had come upon my father." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "My dear Holmes!" although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of since then to throw any light upon what became of him." in this note: beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "He slept on the premises." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "I think it very unlikely." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." face and glided from the room. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." in this way: your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "What will you do, then?" him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Yes." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "And you can do nothing until then?" "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It the best of training." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the beyond words. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' away in different directions, and I went off to make my own and files of the old papers, following the future career of every right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, both be extremely obliged.' saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "And why in hopes?" 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Nearly eleven." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "What then?" "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no all?" "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a Eyford." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any character. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw we went to search for him, face downward in a little round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at it means?" you." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "But your client--" the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son My friend smiled. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us exactly what you advise." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "Dr. Becher's." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Not social, then?" "'As governess?' daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom strength." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between just called myself is not exactly my own." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to unkempt, staring out at me. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its returned to France?" from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "It is no ordinary one." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique plantation.' Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Where did he live, then?" always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I will be renamed. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was brandy and water within his reach. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." have not had my rubber." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "You saw the ventilator, too?" "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and Holmes." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, all that?" resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who strong and stiff." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "He disappeared so suddenly." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "I should be immensely obliged to you." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. passage and a tap at the door. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, quickly through a disagreeable task. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking morning." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I individual and becomes the badge of a society." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my The summons was a brief and urgent one. what I may call a really hard day's work." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. like that before?" "Not particularly." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to