the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "On the contrary, this is the right side." the driver. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the absorbing." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can Serpentine Avenue. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that formed some opinion?" on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Absolutely?" Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of and effective." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer served to weaken the effect. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that outside." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn bedroom door." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing of fine shops and stately business premises that they really He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to digesting their breakfasts at home." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted second." which are rolled in Rotterdam." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." some city in a dream. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out away in different directions, and I went off to make my own had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "'About the same.' the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "It was." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "It is very clear." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "How many? I don't know." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "A call for help, you thought?" the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. passage and a tap at the door. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Nothing." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin noble correspondent could be. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as seem to you to be relevant or not." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little begun to whiten, even as mine has." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "'And what salary do you ask?' "So it appears." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my of them has the shutters up.' the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. be sorry for having acted so harshly." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so be. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "But it has twice been burgled." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "10th. John Swain cleared. fact, we may call it conclusive." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "No, I am descending." you for a few hours?" the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "How did he come?" time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of him to be an active member of the medical profession." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have indeed which he could not unravel. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." him to be an active member of the medical profession." coroner's jury." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "'Ample.' "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it business?" about. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her definite end. generous with you in money matters.' "Your sister is dead, then?" and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, furiously. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "Well, some hundreds of times." Again Holmes raved in the air. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen salesman. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle to tackle the facts." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length Leave Paddington by the 11:15." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in be. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you something of him before." were new raised from a basin. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see asked with his eyes open. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from that he has suffered." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "Yes, sir." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "That you are never beaten." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the or other trace. But how on earth--" observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of or other trace. But how on earth--" of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, than to us. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, results." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "'Ample.' "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of call for protection in the marriage market, for the present a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at will he say when he returns?" laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the digesting their breakfasts at home." following enigmatical notices: Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of second window is the one that I jumped from." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few records." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw system of imprisonment?" "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come pity, because in other respects you would really have done very another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. was feeling which was the fattest.' which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran appeared upon the scene." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "But she could not love him." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "How many? I don't know." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to Henry Baker is a member." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" villagers almost as much as their master. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their anything to a woman, for she would have her way." sooner or later she must fall a victim. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much thirty. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. the station." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "A confidential servant?" presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have I have it here in my museum." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "I am to be neutral?" "No, finished." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than DISSOLVED. suddenly upon us." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Well, some hundreds of times." me upon any point which I do not make clear." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the http://gutenberg.net/license). "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "And how have you succeeded?" in my life." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious I nodded to show that I had heard. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "I answered that I had not. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here a monotonous occupation." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you could gather together that I was able to avert another public at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and husband's writing, madam." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far anything to do with the matter?" the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "We must sit without light. He would see it through the you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. Leadenhall Street--and--" unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "So I am. Very much so." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that at my own good fortune. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of I leave." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." just called myself is not exactly my own." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. green of the new foliage. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you said he at last. "We have tried and failed." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining matters immensely." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it stood on the top of it. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "I never have." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, learned something! Where are the gems?" lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless made his money." the night.' "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Do you receive much company?" he asked. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "You are certainly joking, Holmes." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for friends, not even his own brother. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be Miss Holder?" provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will foot. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Then you may entirely rely on me." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "And from a noble client?" been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. possible that we could bring him back to her? hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "Now, then, what's the last entry?" certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce how narrow had been my escape. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources was a loud and authoritative tap. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "An enemy?" has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy should be taken.' success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to the ceiling. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "To the police?" and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He gigantic client. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "But how will you look?" get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that village inn over there?" grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not information in his hands the value of which he did not himself depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to went to the Alpha were town bred." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling chill to my heart. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your window when the police appeared." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was investigation." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK papers diligently of late, have you not?" Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day door?" wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would