against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come away in different directions, and I went off to make my own time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to absorbing." "You have a clue?" muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the murdered man." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Of what?" that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you said he at last. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' you understand?" fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood appeared upon the scene." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a it means?" and prosperity to your house. Good-night." later, upon the night of May 2nd." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. the inner apartment." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, villagers almost as much as their master. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case rooms." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. his face. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant before, for it was considerably after midnight. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. papers diligently of late, have you not?" if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I which was all perfectly true. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a been with you?" In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on I shall communicate with you." beg that you will break it off." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is became a certainty. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. had this final quarrel? delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "'And what salary do you ask?' green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had the south-west, I see." "Your presence might be invaluable." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "Not in a good cause." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the get her out of the way." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of nice household for a young lady." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "I guessed as much." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my that he has suffered." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the tell them apart.' "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began I nodded to show that I had heard. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California status with the IRS. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the the King without delay." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. grasp, he hurried from the room. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "Then, as to money?" like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will envelope. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the my special province." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the emerged. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and to take care of herself." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "That is it on the dressing-table." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and been." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "You heard nothing yourself last night?" was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my deduce something from that?" swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with golden eyeglasses. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If allusion to a rat. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "And why?" "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Frequently." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "I think that I had better go, Holmes." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Seven!" I answered. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I God! What an exposure! What can I do?" have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed what is your own theory as to what took place?" coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "And for present expenses?" bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning the inner apartment." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to noble correspondent could be. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands over here." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a Holmes' face clouded over. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a families. Now for the facts. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "But he might be a bachelor." hurried away. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the trying to your nerves." letters?" inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Not yet." "No." "She showed me, as I told you she would." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case business." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." for its centre. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was go--none." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "No, distinctly professional." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "That sounds a little paradoxical." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the becomes even more simple." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in mysterious end." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. and that he would see to anything that turned up. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our residence of the great financier. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "Her father is very rich?" husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "How did that help you?" whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "What then?" gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly walking." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, tear off another piece?' I nodded to show that I had heard. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "And what did you see?" evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "And how did you verify them?" from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where or other trace. But how on earth--" the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the flock.' that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which sit on the left-hand side of the driver." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "One?" original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "Yes, they were peculiar boots." there in twenty minutes." "The knees of his trousers." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some words came to my lips. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "It was an hour's good drive." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. paper in the air. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "He said that you could solve anything." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "And Irene Adler?" pressing in one house as in another. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough letters?" these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" disappearance of these gems?" breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and direction." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his train.' the coronet in his hand?" Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as Henry Baker is a member." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "And help." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "But what will you do?" "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough horse could go." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call DISSOLVED. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been telegram would bring me down to your help." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" companion quietly. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the husband's writing, madam." and glanced through. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "That sounds a little paradoxical." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My Mrs. Toller serenely. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other peculiar to him. the so-precious time, but come!' forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "Yes, certainly." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "I guessed as much." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is I nodded to show that I had heard. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Then I am your man." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and rooms." quick march!" "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to the dangers which encompass me." "'I shall certainly be there.' might have a private word with us. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "You think that he is dead?" week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "Not him." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "You are hungry," I remarked. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their situation." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, Sholtos." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram of them has the shutters up.' that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present delirious. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, ourselves in the office." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the