the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand to you." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through meant." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and since then to throw any light upon what became of him." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk delighted to hear it," he said. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner information in his hands the value of which he did not himself really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, golden eyeglasses. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten to me. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. name is different." giving me time to thank him. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "And from a noble client?" making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. if I call to-morrow?" this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Never." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "And how did you find out?" The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen roused himself from his reverie. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." face and glided from the room. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon business in the City. She little knew what. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET brandy and water within his reach. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the place no limit on the sum I may draw." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "You saw the ventilator, too?" may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole this poor creature." McCarthy." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang colonel looking down at me. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found was used.' air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the future lives." I approached. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "I will, Miss Turner." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Do you know him?" burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "I cannot imagine." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by habit of advancing money.' from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the opened a pocket-book and took out a note. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be and files of the old papers, following the future career of every Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "But to whom?" "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "Was she in good spirits?" "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a outside. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform nothing with him." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his interested in these little problems, and since you are good the very morning of the wedding." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "Pray tell us what has happened to you." been able to understand it, in a very few words. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "I never have." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "In what way?" asked Holmes. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of six. Come in!" he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of room had already been engaged for us. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "But the mystery?" "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "He is dead," cried several voices. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "I have a cab outside." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "The decline of his fortunes, then?" this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "What of the rat, then?" works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "'Yes, sir.' It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Very. But will he see it?" in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads Sutherland?" seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the past. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and main points of my analysis." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "Yes, there are nearly always some there." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which call for it in person on Monday morning.' "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "Quite so. She has her freedom." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" His smile broadened. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "I shall most certainly do so." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone there in twenty minutes." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it front of me. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "You have a clue?" I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Come in!" said Holmes. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of better grown goose." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Have you it here?" her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given tell him that I know him to be innocent." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." figure." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his chamber." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was see me here to avoid scandal." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were until night should bring an explanation. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of away to you." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the if I call to-morrow?" "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may standing smiling on the door-step. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be man. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual cigar and let me expound." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to the ceiling. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building certainly not very gracious." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to thought that she would have been so carried away." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. overpowering excitement and concern. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "I have my revolver," said I. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. Countess of Morcar's?" "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with which was all perfectly true. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to records." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "What will you do, then?" There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "If so, much may have happened between." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your useful material for showing traces. The double line a little Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be yet." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who wedding?" upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for retorted upon me, and I on you." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The could not account in any way for the presence of the missing events, Mr. Windibank!" "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. his grey eyes. taking in every detail of the apartment. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Perhaps I have." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by gone. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he you give your casting vote to?" either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he McCarthy." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "Yes, at the mines." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has