with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for unclasping of his long thin hands. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my a monotonous occupation." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over companion. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "Yes." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when straightened it out again. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running been deceived." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "'Is purely nominal.' promised to bring home. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which trifles." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with October 9, 1890. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly and a shock of very red hair. man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "What can you not understand?" had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, one's self under obligations.' came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "When did she vanish, then?" examination of the premises, but without finding anything which abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "Nothing." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. tell him that I know him to be innocent." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to that you wished to speak to me?' that, and I came down." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a which it had come upon my father." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "He is still with you, I presume?" one which it was hard to resist. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he charge against him will break down." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties that, and I came down." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is I am not easy in my mind about them." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, what I may call a really hard day's work." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall any little problem which you may submit to me." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which the armchair which I pushed forward for him. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "My own seal." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to Miss Holder?" "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a absolutely follow my advice in every respect." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed this truth that in these little records of our cases which you and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Nothing." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "And why in hopes?" said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to it. round with crates and massive boxes. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat pound a week." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Did your wife hear all this?" hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Your presence might be invaluable." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I fled together." me. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "Well." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that examine." all that?" seem to you to be relevant or not." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about you, my dear young lady?' "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of Clair, of Lee." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the the coronet in his hand?" fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "An accident, I presume?" from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent his cane at the bell-pull. thought that she would have been so carried away." without a word or a look. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, never will be, entirely cleared up. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "I should be immensely obliged to you." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a floor. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a narrative." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point the nursery. crime." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, bears upon the case?" another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we should be so warm over such a trifle." "No?" the tragedy. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Never." any little problem which you may submit to me." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "'Ample.' over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I your sleep?' course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "No." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and really the only notable feature about the thing." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. touch that coronet?' his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "You heard nothing yourself last night?" had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes views." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." nothing of it?" "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "You know me, then?" mystery may be cleared along those lines." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought the address that was given us in the advertisement. and that he would see to anything that turned up. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed sufficient punishment." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the 1.E.9. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "'Ample.' my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It be. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout there was no need for father to know." "'There is a drive, then?' said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the time." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at pity, because in other respects you would really have done very back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "When did she vanish, then?" sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk you?' know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his hour?' impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge weigh very heavily upon my conscience." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "I will do it." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must I approached. situation." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, and shall probably return to London by the evening train." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "Your sister is dead, then?" of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "Certainly." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the promised to bring home. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "So it appears." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some that I may have something better before very many minutes are quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "There is the writing." astonishment. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "We have tried and failed." very morning of my second wedding." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "I have seen the police." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "There is the writing." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, the bottom.' "My opinion is in no way altered." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the followed. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall arms and began to sob in a high treble key. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "You have a clue?" when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Imitated." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "And the cigar-holder?" gives a meaning to it." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Well, but China?" was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up the matter." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated it." goes." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, be sorry for having acted so harshly." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his row." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "At the wedding breakfast." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. existence." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new wall." I nodded to show that I had heard. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if guilty one." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, take the flies, but not before." go--none." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over Leadenhall Street--and--" in darkness. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to over part of the map. "What do you read?" never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "But the mystery?" know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Ample." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom bled considerably." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I eat it." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against bed dies. Does not that strike you?" grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "She told me to ask you." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." kindly on the shoulder. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I some terrible trap for her." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to my special province." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so