Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, shadow pass over his face as I spoke. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. amused." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" not within a twentieth part of the market price." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow said he. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And answer." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, power." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "And is that all?" "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner the bottom.' would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is and the colonel ushered me in. "Eh? What was that?" "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front there!' you want, then?' at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Nothing?" through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack of your young ladies.' why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well character. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of him nearly every evening." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my these bleak autumnal evenings." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "From his hat?" initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." them?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the noise which awoke you from your sleep?" labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in matters immensely." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to it? Did I buy the geese off you?" there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all when your master had gone out." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my jewels which you have stolen?' lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and individual and becomes the badge of a society." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Your sister is dead, then?" The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil have had none more fantastic than this." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously since then to throw any light upon what became of him." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been suddenly upon us." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in the warnings." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "You heard nothing yourself last night?" flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The little adventures." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when God! What an exposure! What can I do?" learned something! Where are the gems?" glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! his face which made him a very different person to the round, you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "By all means." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't long narrative. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "No good news?" breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day them?" "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "So I heard. You have him here?" "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he habit of advancing money.' "What then?" Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, him." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." ago." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the upon the white wrist. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "Was the window open?" the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite about. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" was already answered. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered London for the present?" of his shoulders. matter." "No, distinctly professional." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "What is it, then--a fire?" "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an not interfere, come what may. You understand?" determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "In heaven's name, what for?" Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and Farm upon the left." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family least a most suspicious remark." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it pound a week." Farm upon the left." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a his fortune, and I went back to pa. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon could not account in any way for the presence of the missing papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. was feeling which was the fattest.' "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Well?" the window, rose as we entered. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "'Yes.' "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "Was she in good spirits?" peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it think, you have already met." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Well, it is a possible supposition." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we there was no need for father to know." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which triumphant cloud from his cigarette. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are the station." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "So I heard. You have him here?" "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the begun to whiten, even as mine has." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "Ah!" though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "That you are never beaten." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and business." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days reach." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his be sorry for having acted so harshly." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune think, you have already met." prepare for the new role I have to play." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw were unconscious?" long narrative. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found persecution?" at a side door. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "No, I had a dozen." was shining brightly. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but round with crates and massive boxes. one of the states of the Union." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call matter over." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Game for a morning drive?" this remarkable episode. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "And I." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was at a side door. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Certainly." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm outsides of the windows. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "I am armed." "Then I am your man." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain dead, shall be safe with us." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could Edgeware Road. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little maid will bring up your coffee." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a bore every mark of being an average commonplace British lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," that I may have something better before very many minutes are "My own seal." "'How far from the body?' See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside His smile broadened. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "I have solved it." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Then you may entirely rely on me." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the detained." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he both be extremely obliged.' had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the things are very often connected not with the larger but with the then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "And help." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Ample." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed and inquire as to the address." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes, I have one waiting." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "And Irene Adler?" robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate records." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the chamber." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there placed his cuttings. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "She walked into the breakfast-room." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a works. See paragraph 1.E below. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco detective. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "Tired-looking or fresh?" had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. hopeless attempt at recovering them." less than 26s. 4d. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it the room while you explain this matter?" make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a helping a boy to put up the shutters. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him his knees, staring into the fire. "She showed me, as I told you she would." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "I fear not." "What do you mean?" "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My colour had been driven from his face. the coroner come to?" purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "How on earth--" "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past points to suicide?" or in danger--" one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper within hail.' Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and learned something! Where are the gems?" "Very well, sir. And this stone?" pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." But Holmes shook his head gravely. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's without a word or a look. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in absolutely follow my advice in every respect." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the to Leatherhead. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "I saw her in conversation with her maid." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns a monotonous occupation." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this was shining brightly. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that of the efforts of the United States government and of the better Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, she might be summoned. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "You were travelling in the States?" was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could Have you good authority for what you say?" attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Oh, yes, easily." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his such person." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to Again Holmes raved in the air. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "I will, Miss Turner." ago." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, dear old homesteads?" pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was I shall communicate with you." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "No sign of it?" "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "Your presence might be invaluable." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the too. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." himself in a perplexing position. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most