this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Because he was handy and would come cheap." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming enough to aid us in our search." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this whole matter to your consideration." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in husband's writing, madam." "You have but to name it." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Stoke Moran?" said he. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "But what is it you wish?" "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See to-morrow." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "It may not come to that," said Holmes. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet from you?" poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." signal between you and your father? an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "But how did you gain them?" road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite delighted to hear it," he said. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in the bottom.' "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich Foundation and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "Pray continue your narrative." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "She will not sell." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "And I to find an enemy." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "'Which dealer's?' the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "A confidential servant?" believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "It is his hat." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "Has he come with you to-night?" passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There have not had my rubber." "The Coroner: What do you mean? detained." "I should like to see him very much." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "10th. John Swain cleared. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, floor. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this to that open window." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire case before our client came into the room." writing, and yet I know it well." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much intimate personal affairs in this public manner." will not take me long to tell. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a The summons was a brief and urgent one. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "Yes." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival him to go away.' "How do you know, then?" "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "The decline of his fortunes, then?" Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband meanly of me." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted to tell." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Yes, all." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "'Certainly,' I answered. morning." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it The events in question occurred in the early days of my "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a look upon these things in a different way." "What?" "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to look upon these things in a different way." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I hardly wander." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "'Yes.' other lovers by making love himself." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not main points of my analysis." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "I answered that I had not. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "'Yes, sir.' been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "But of what society?" wife's character?" outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "Perhaps we may make them less so." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of deduce something from that?" me. You must get home instantly and act." "And who is her maid?" form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources your Highness to the police-station?" a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached a very grave face. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "I have come for advice." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It strode off upon his way. you." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the prove to be little relation between the different incidents of incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "'Most admirably.' that you wished to speak to me?' excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "Well, it is a possible supposition." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. electronic works is now desirous of getting those letters back." fait accompli?" Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed it were putty." the driver. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "I promise," said Holmes. mysterious business." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic question. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic was not a bird to be seen there. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if it right.' garden below. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 not within a twentieth part of the market price." details." main points of my analysis." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend my little problems." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us direction." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "No?" my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are exactly what you advise." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they lamp. served to weaken the effect. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were if she died from some sudden fright." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "'Never.' to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "Have you her photograph?" and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "Pray do so." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the meant." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how helping a boy to put up the shutters. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying better in every way that they should make their position a little returning from some small jollification and was making his way "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "What will you do, then?" only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "To an English lawyer named Norton." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the me. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my Lestrade of Scotland Yard." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to him nearly every evening." "The vanishing of the lady." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as considering the formidable letters which were received by himself Clair, of Lee." hair?' "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at I was concerned in it." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the me have 200 pounds?' "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in I took the paper from him and read as follows: part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the Street. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets society." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had have accepted such a situation. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. other, as fresh and trim as possible. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the together. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must little adventures." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in John Swain, of St. Augustine. made his money." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "It was." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated are windows in it, of course?" breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat derbies." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other of your young ladies.' something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving you give your casting vote to?" "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make nonsense.' "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you http://gutenberg.net/license). "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I envelope. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you Serpentine Avenue. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my the devil!" to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was hour?' giving me time to thank him. "Yes, certainly." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Yes." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the present strange and interesting features that it is no easy were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge acquaintance?" heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. I held the little printed slip to the light. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was to miss it." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of said Mr. Holder. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Will you bet, then?" "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "'There is a drive, then?' "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do know all about it," he snarled. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with dear old homesteads?" room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "What have you to say now?" Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the three of the beryls in it, was missing. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the