specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "'Ample.' "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "'I am sure that I do not know.' "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't children over to America with him, so that I found myself without ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I the devil!" developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in depend upon my doing so.' Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite front of me. finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction sneer upon his pale face. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." me what he had done with the three missing stones. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything will be renamed. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "Was the window open?" Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Then you may entirely rely on me." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered John Swain, of St. Augustine. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room becomes even more simple." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I and glanced through. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "This photograph!" Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. read it out to me." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in your co-operation." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon lamp. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "But you can know nothing of this?" Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Well, but China?" mysterious business." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "Awake, Watson?" he asked. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Well, it is a possible supposition." photograph?" near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "I saw her in conversation with her maid." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My o'clock is it?" knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and he. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own instituted." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "To an English lawyer named Norton." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "And it is--" "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into Pope's Court, Fleet Street." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "Were they all fastened this morning?" Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his note?" hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "Stoke Moran?" said he. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Ten will be early enough." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, showing my impatience. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came morning." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "I say that I have solved it." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a here and I will read it to you: "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "One of his hands." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Who by?" we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "What are they?" a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and learned something! Where are the gems?" indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his Sutherland?" conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "But his left-handedness." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and The note was undated, and without either signature or address. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand strode off upon his way. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "ARAT," I read. "And what then?" vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "'Tell me all about it,' said I. carried out of court." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "I see many objections to any such theory." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an and no precautions can guard against." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come you give your casting vote to?" While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or threw himself down with his face to the pillow. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have some city in a dream. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then most interesting one." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not to affect your life." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "Witness: Nothing definite. "You have compromised yourself seriously." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle maid will bring up your coffee." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, mystery." "I have a cab outside." had a long day." not come at once?" "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his silent! Oh, he will be silent!' tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Perhaps we may make them less so." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "But your client--" it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed said I. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was client, rising. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies brain must have something in it." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a without success. At last the little money which I had saved began When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning miles off. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal woven round him. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great was used.' a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to other lovers by making love himself." "Yes, sir." "What, then, did Peterson do?" the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "And now?" He raised his hand. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like did not hear it also.' "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "What! Had he lost his wife?" stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "No, finished." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. Where does the thing come from?' "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, I leave." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "And I to find an enemy." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and right! Sit down and let us talk it over." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection conduct the inquiry." and no precautions can guard against." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "What can it mean?" I gasped. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the front of the hall door has given its name to the place. out." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "Yes, but only for you and me." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, behind me. directly by questioning you." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled most interesting one." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "It was an hour's good drive." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they ceremony." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my done what I asked you, Jones?" license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "No, finished." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a hurried by. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "The best possible." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Very truly yours, "Ha! you find it so?" donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate I nodded to show that I had heard. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the to-night?' down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "You have it, sir, just as it happened." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such not interfere, come what may. You understand?" one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight husband's writing, madam." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently it with his own hands." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock back alive. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my question. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself developed." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "Pray be precise as to details," said he. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. noble correspondent could be. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "Were they all fastened this morning?" locked." to a more successful conclusion." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered said he. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no even so self-evident a thing as that." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Ample." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Where did you address your letters, then?" "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as are, I think, all that we need." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Where, indeed?" late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. chill to my heart. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "Nothing." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses good for you to do.' but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing forecastle of an emigrant ship. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. ourselves in the office." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "'How far from the body?' "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." do you make of it all?" and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who in my life." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at eat it." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the sound at heart." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear neither fascinating nor artistic."