the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the some place of shelter and let the county police know what has His smile broadened. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come with frightened eyes at his accuser. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no better in every way that they should make their position a little adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project been deceived." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more affection." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. Foundation started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense this remarkable episode. fishes. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud province." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me colonel looking down at me. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." o'clock is it?" LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE to his chemical studies. Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock because she had spent so short a time in this country that she this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded to surprise her." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as one else, I think." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there generous with you in money matters.' to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "No, I am descending." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "What have you to say now?" there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he tell me that you intended to go into harness." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time the salesman. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught prison!" "He slept on the premises." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different to tackle the facts." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a you came in." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "When did it break out?" "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie to me. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should throat." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" where Mr. Fordham shows you.' frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." very old mansion. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to that I may have something better before very many minutes are "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large done what I asked you, Jones?" through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of about here speaks of his kindness to him." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a stepfather?" as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment obstinate." "But you can know nothing of this?" back alive. "Was your sister dressed?" four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has there has been an enclosure here!" and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "What, then?" among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "I cannot imagine." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of with frightened eyes at his accuser. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "And you don't know his address?" she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "'Yes, it was gone.' "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon fuss that is made over them." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not shall not find me ungrateful." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life to tell." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "No?" front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded maid will bring up your coffee." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" never to learn it at all." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "And who is her maid?" goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "Quite so." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open useful material for showing traces. The double line a little shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. the side-table." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern you in your example." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it is entirely a question of barometric pressure." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, are, and they are waiting for us." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "What, then?" run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten even of instruction." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room of campaign. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "And sit in the dark?" walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of looking up at the numbers of the houses." girl said." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the chemical work which was so dear to him. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" yet." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Why did you pick him?" flock.' your troubles." over here." "That you are never beaten." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "It's nothing of the kind." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "Yesterday." him to go away.' "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, http://www.gutenberg.net With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "I cannot think." of." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left and capable of preserving a secret.' see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled death." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "By no means." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be that he has suffered." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "Frequently." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their a few minutes he said that it would be all right. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence you in yours." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the client, rising. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "Not in a good cause." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "In heaven's name, what for?" diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "What?" "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its to have been novel and of interest." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept all that?" brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling matters immensely." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "How can you tell that?" station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the true." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very passage and a tap at the door. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "I am still in the dark." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "I say it is." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Which are?" records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and of the one which your family is now devouring." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done I shall communicate with you." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for answer." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit as the one I chose?' Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. row." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Dirty?" before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us was already answered. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, there is a decided draught." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our bonnet, and went out." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his that I can to serve you." "What! Had he lost his wife?" request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "Do you know him?" have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a opportunities to fix the problem. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "I think it very unlikely." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was nice household for a young lady." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "Very murderous indeed." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying less than 26s. 4d. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly occurred." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid if I call to-morrow?" her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and your room." present." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then spark where all is dark to me." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, photograph a cabinet?" was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "Only as much as we can deduce." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. gone. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to hurried by. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and geese which you supplied to the Alpha." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' some city in a dream. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, back into the street. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, could not account in any way for the presence of the missing it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "A client, then?" the so-precious time, but come!' me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. believe that I should never have any practice at all. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "Breckinridge is his name." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this fashion which was peculiar to him. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable digesting their breakfasts at home." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. was not a bird to be seen there. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, disappearance of these gems?" of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together their singular warning or token before them when starting upon or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in to have been novel and of interest." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "Then, how do you know?" and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter.