the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have of it with the greatest attention. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one name is different." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the people in all walks of life. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no morning." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "Yes. He waved his hands." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "Yes, it was twisted." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed developed." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all I nodded to show that I had heard. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't lids now and glanced across at his visitor. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, prove to be little relation between the different incidents of so.' when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow of his shoulders. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "My private note-paper." "But I am all in the dark." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "I cannot think." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the for securing the situation." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "And how did he make his money?" "VIOLET HUNTER." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and problems help me to do so." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in hurried by. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Then I am your man." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. national property. I was determined that the law should have its "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it felt the room to be a little close.' End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by and all of them with the keenest interest. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "I cannot say that I have." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "How did you deduce the select?" with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could business at Coburg Square is serious." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. some terrible trap for her." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San my secret was safe in his possession. again before evening." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "Where to?" month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "'Certainly not. But why?' me. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Proceed, then." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my this man was intellectual?" is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It than to us. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was arrested. You then--" "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Witness: Nothing definite. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "'What then?' I asked. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was your room." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was call for protection in the marriage market, for the present or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to appeared upon the scene." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She straighten it?" that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, one of the states of the Union." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too before, for it was considerably after midnight. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "Thank you. And your address?" object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious chill to my heart. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "No." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "And who is her maid?" "No legal papers or certificates?" bird I ate is country bred." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "I will not look." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." think, you have already met." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "No." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "I cannot think." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened him to go away.' "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "In which, sir?" father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my and glanced through. "In which, sir?" returning from some small jollification and was making his way nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of open." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "How did that help you?" chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "I came to find a friend." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "Where did he live, then?" clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who Gutenberg-tm License. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any have accepted such a situation. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" Young McCarthy must be got off, however." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "What do you mean?" up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that few hundred pounds.' "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "'Which dealer's?' "I would pay ten." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "'A dozen yards or so.' had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are you came in." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "At half-wages, in fact." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I a good hundred miles off by now." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. an introduction to him?" "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "'You cannot say what it was?' allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with straighten it?" the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "She walked into the breakfast-room." said he. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "'I am sure that I do not know.' too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "You are all wrong." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than during which he might have communicated with his friend the tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." writer." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time in the hope of finding them." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he not, dad?" she asked. have not had my rubber." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside strong and stiff." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a information in his hands the value of which he did not himself End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at Gutenberg-tm License. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Not social, then?" "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an been able to understand it, in a very few words. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from things are very often connected not with the larger but with the stood on the top of it. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then the very morning of the wedding." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and help us in this matter." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to that you can jump it.' returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "Pray be precise as to details," said he. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' see me here to avoid scandal." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we reach." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was weapon." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and thought that she would have been so carried away." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "So I heard. You have him here?" comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." the tragedy. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting on in his house." most interesting one." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Imitated." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of thin, with a long, sharp nose?" moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and highroad, where all traces were lost. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that in the hope of finding them." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a be.' serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the such attractions and accomplishments?' can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple laugh and put his lips to my ear. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "I have seen the police." delighted to hear it," he said. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my locked. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "It missed him, then?" upon a handsome competence. "My own seal." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations could go. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "But it has twice been burgled." the station." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a and it need not interfere very much with one's other wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without bearing upon the case." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door are, I think, all that we need." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his him." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the the child." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "No legal papers or certificates?" "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and the station." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "Yes, but only for you and me." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your happened." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was directly by questioning you." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "What can you not understand?" situation." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. until night should bring an explanation. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain October 9, 1890. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. coat-tails." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Tired-looking or fresh?" laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "I came to find a friend." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you closing the door. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "But I am all in the dark." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." sufficient punishment." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its his huge brown hands. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. shaken than I had ever seen him. putting in the horse. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen in his hands." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "No more words. Get out!" London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is shag which I had seen upon the previous night. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Come in!" said Holmes. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family foresight and the moral retrogression?" his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass nonsense.' across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The