summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "9th. McCauley cleared. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing the house with me." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. situation." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "And sit in the dark?" "I have a cab outside." followed. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and get the tickets." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that shaken than I had ever seen him. there was no need for father to know." "To an end?" "Precisely." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "'What would be the hours?' I asked. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "'I shall certainly be there.' Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "I fear not." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over said he at last. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "'Yes.' whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Yes, it was twisted." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring was a perfect sample of the class. hands. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the or other trace. But how on earth--" mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "Will you bet, then?" they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." was used.' stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "'Yes, it was gone.' and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with ordinary clothes on?" and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a constraint." "But of what society?" "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came that you can jump it.' has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a the coronet in his hand?" the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that astonishment. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last was already answered. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. this poor creature." touch that coronet?' business?" in the dead of the night?' always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds sound at heart." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself to a more successful conclusion." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "My dear Holmes!" Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. mystery!" "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light he bowed and left the room without another word. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "'I have already given you my word.' introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "And now?" I asked. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and fluttered off among the others. whereabouts. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps the Red-headed League." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to details should find their way into the papers. Inspector be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear your Highness to the police-station?" "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the the child." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the always that they were such commands as a lady might with Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "None." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Where, then?" "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "Texas, I think." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, could gather together that I was able to avert another public "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord papers on the sundial.'" exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been the bed, and you in that chair." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from cigars in the box." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. persecution?" Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "I was sure that I might rely on you." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "How did you deduce the select?" "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "Imitated." suspect him." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love outsides of the windows. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known 11:15.' bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "And on what day did he meet his death?" collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his mystery!" "Which surely he restored to their owner?" recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in the roots. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw them?" It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical front of me. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" into the bag, and made for the door. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Look there!" said he. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the chance." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong o'clock is it?" individual and becomes the badge of a society." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "'Yes, I promise.' You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "I am to be neutral?" was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. husband's writing, madam." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "It is possible." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry to miss it." know all about it," he snarled. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with hereditary King of Bohemia." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar absolutely follow my advice in every respect." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the not use it unless it is absolutely needed." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "So I heard. You have him here?" "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "It is possible." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, Young McCarthy must be got off, however." the matter." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "And the cigar-holder?" say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying attention." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "I should be immensely obliged to you." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the upon the shelf for the interim." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, II. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken noble correspondent could be. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "I will, Miss Turner." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Witness: Nothing definite. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "From his hat?" little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Yes." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, even so self-evident a thing as that." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small used to be." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story this remarkable episode. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in imbecility!" he cried. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just Holmes rather sternly. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither here." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given place of silver." "But she will refuse." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would you." "Perhaps we may make them less so." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "His face fell immediately. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man instincts rose up against that laugh. the Red-headed League." "And how did you find out?" strong reason behind." with her." chance at all." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your over his head with a sweet womanly caress. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "And who is her maid?" secret." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to written, and locked the door of the office after me. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "Breckinridge is his name." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "Whose house is it?" have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that I shall communicate with you." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that forehead. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "I cannot think." attention." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our stepfather?" scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much article?" "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Have you it here?" foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "What are they?" and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for your most interesting statement." purpose of examination. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "I warn you that they are very incomplete." outbreak?" form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, heavy and sharp instrument." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, any more." minor matters until to-morrow." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to your most interesting statement." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. society." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my gbnewby@pglaf.org "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "And you thought he was pulled back?" maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Look there!" said he. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are fire. You quite follow me?" He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. and glanced through. the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. keep the flames under. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, an introduction to him?" whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "He said that you could solve anything." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven prepare for the new role I have to play." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute it. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "It may not come to that," said Holmes. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally with you alone." putting in the horse. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17