though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "I have solved it." "When did it break out?" the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "'And the work?' stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "'There is a drive, then?' the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near it." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "'Which dealer's?' "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "What then?" three fields round his house, and there he would take his revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. investigation." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that into the room. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a little trying to do so much typewriting?" beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was fasten all the windows?" "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for question. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, back alive. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "Very. But will he see it?" smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "No, I had a dozen." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United during the last few years, and there are many noble families to over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. and that he would see to anything that turned up. becomes even more simple." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and really the only notable feature about the thing." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. seen the man in the road." constraint." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Yes, I have one waiting." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "It surprised me." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them place of silver." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, Surrey." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive fasten all the windows?" think that any burglar could have done. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it door?" rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing the south-west, I see." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening see me here to avoid scandal." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "What! You do not mean bodies?" "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship would then never go into court at all." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without matter." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "None." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, interested in these little problems, and since you are good themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, get the tickets." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" Leave Paddington by the 11:15." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "And now?" I asked. "Oh, fresh and glossy." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could key turn in the lock." the house with me." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Never to return." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of that the gas is not laid on in his house?" means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your matter over." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE any more." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "I will get her to show me." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this business?" that he will be back before evening." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. even of instruction." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "And that is--" work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, delirious. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "I promise," said Holmes. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook photograph?" out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "I would pay ten." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies child?' observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not the roots. XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET bears upon the case?" of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. words came to my lips. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow and the whole place is in a blaze." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, papers." breakfast." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit dead, shall be safe with us." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be and the church but not where the lady lived." habit of advancing money.' appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid is a common subject for conversation. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock happened." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' come either from the window or the door. My attention was machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "That is possible." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we enter Dr. Roylott's room." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "'I shall certainly be there.' "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, to affect your life." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "You will not go there first?" and wait." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want better grown goose." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Proceed, then." married her." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present his fortune, and I went back to pa. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted you?" flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but without success. At last the little money which I had saved began web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "And I." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Perfectly so." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "You were travelling in the States?" and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it nothing of it?" lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "'What are you doing there?' he asked. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy little adventures." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "She walked into the breakfast-room." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small mysterious business." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small his face. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much amused." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and had this final quarrel? help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down again, where I was soon asleep. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he will be renamed. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "Dirty?" made his money." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door child?' give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "On Monday." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "None." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very undoubtedly my uncle's." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true voice. with you?" green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H events, Mr. Windibank!" considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was and your relations to her." village inn over there?" "'Yes, sir.' "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You the coroner come to?" presume?" "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie you, my dear young lady?' low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are there was no need for father to know." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs but preventing her from injuring another. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat never came back." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "Well, some hundreds of times." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to dramatic, in fact." "She told me to ask you." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring own family. "Where, then?" made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress wall." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a that I may have something better before very many minutes are should be so warm over such a trifle." Holmes." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "But your client--" streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the advice." hard-headed British jury." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up envelope. accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, it right.' It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "And sit in the dark?" with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell