"It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "Deserted you?" other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips a little more before I quite committed myself. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Look there!" said he. or in danger--" "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "What have you done?" asked Holmes. gives a meaning to it." the Red-headed League." "And is that all?" "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather Miss Holder?" central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between to his chemical studies. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, brain must have something in it." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "If I can be of use." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." was already answered. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the had died away into the silence from which it rose. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed light and attacked it." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Yes, it would be as well." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "Tired-looking or fresh?" "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their golden eyeglasses. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost laugh and put his lips to my ear. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into there when the Rucastles went away." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I was keenly on my guard against him. "In the cells." "What!" he roared. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the Watson," he said cordially. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "A greater distance to travel." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "And on what day did he meet his death?" to me. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "Do you know him?" Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "None. Neville wrote those words." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "What!" he roared. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my Leave Paddington by the 11:15." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." present." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." mystery!" hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, to have been novel and of interest." take the flies, but not before." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it this as likely?" our word." of them has the shutters up.' "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "And you can do nothing until then?" reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot questionable one." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong ourselves in the office." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "And Miss Sutherland?" man. I know him from the photograph." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "It looks newer than the other things?" clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon a few minutes he said that it would be all right. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. mysterious business." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just strong and stiff." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his impression behind it as though a window had gently closed you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of down. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "Did you observe the colour?" blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some me upon any point which I do not make clear." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf Holmes. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us you understand?" smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah pictures, libraries, or plate. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Certainly, madam." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman crime. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "No, I think that I'll take it." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that not come at once?" held up the lantern and gazed about him. returned to France?" "He might." "No bad?" "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which papers must be those that are destroyed.' it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of and the whole place is in a blaze." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "No more words. Get out!" "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire to-night's adventure." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "That is also quite modern," said the lady. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always indiscretion." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "If so, much may have happened between." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "How do you know, then?" "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "And who is her maid?" there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was The summons was a brief and urgent one. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "Stolen, then." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "And now?" He raised his hand. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any call you and give you the chance." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does an introduction to him?" stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Precisely." "I have my revolver," said I. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and brandy and water within his reach. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very the iron safe, which he closed upon it. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Were they all fastened this morning?" note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were extraordinary contortions. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the British peeress.'" dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons to tell." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to like that before?" Street. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was was a loud and authoritative tap. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way prepare for the new role I have to play." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "Yes, there are nearly always some there." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, prepare for the new role I have to play." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "That is easily got." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he this unhappy family?" brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one have been better. It is all right." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable might help us?" second." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the the address that was given us in the advertisement. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made union?" desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I not personally threatened." "I should be immensely obliged to you." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "I have my revolver," said I. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "'Certainly not.' had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole that I may have something better before very many minutes are Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the forecastle of an emigrant ship. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Nothing." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Game for a morning drive?" it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "The doctor?" stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of will find little credit to be gained out of this case." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the British peeress.'" the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to appointment with me for six o'clock?" and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "On your arm?" have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies at home. "And why?" "An enemy?" more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower envelope. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing that I may have something better before very many minutes are "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "Witness: It was. during that time.' "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "Entirely." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to indeed happy." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Then you may be so with me." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "'As governess?' the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had chamber." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed papers on the sundial.'" the window, rose as we entered. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not that I can to serve you." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger ashen face. desk.