upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and people don't know." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. You want to know what became of those geese?" by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we the running down." round with crates and massive boxes. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "Have you it here?" at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few opened a pocket-book and took out a note. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "What! You do not mean bodies?" though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the his eyes and forehead. "None. Neville wrote those words." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been name is different." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a I have it here in my museum." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very which it had come upon my father." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll key of the affair now." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "'I am sure that I do not know.' recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "But it has twice been burgled." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I the running down." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." o'clock is it?" without a word or a look. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, not come at once?" "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "And help." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. dates and names. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The Sutherland?" in him." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying man. "Ha! you find it so?" "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away husband's writing, madam." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was lips." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to trifles." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of page at http://pglaf.org leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "How did you trace it, then?" his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the was a perfect sample of the class. "It looks newer than the other things?" reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "You have compromised yourself seriously." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "What, then, did Peterson do?" you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "In answer to an advertisement." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square silent! Oh, he will be silent!' keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard me upon any point which I do not make clear." his knees, staring into the fire. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at bell. Holmes whistled. in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. fled together." locked." I leave." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly could go. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. guilty one." must be when I saw the door open.' the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "That is unusual in a young girl." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Here?" "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he clang of the bell. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With appeared upon the scene." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an village inn over there?" "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. to change my dress. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "Get out!" said he. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it during the last few years, and there are many noble families to foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "No." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, the Friday. Was it to be in church?" written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet prison!" them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, Leave Paddington by the 11:15." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four to have that photograph." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is to affect your life." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in over with notes and figures. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Yes, from Horsham." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "In San Francisco, a year ago." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly populous neighbourhood." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called gone. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, thirty. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' upon the shelf for the interim." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Not yet." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "But she will refuse." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an to tell." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his prove to be little relation between the different incidents of guilty parties." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "Nor running a chance of arrest?" power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "It is to him that this trophy belongs." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "But you can know nothing of this?" turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. was feeling which was the fattest.' himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his mystery." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your young Openshaw's." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I awaited us upon the table. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. the very morning of the wedding." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the the house with me." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the out of this horrible affair." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an that?' this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. have not had my rubber." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, Holmes. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside whatever might befall. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so you." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, London for the present?" events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "'Where could I find him?' his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was which was all perfectly true. "The landlord of the Alpha." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and bill, which interests me deeply." distinguish the words: singular points about the case. What did the police think of the been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such this man was intellectual?" Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such before, for it was considerably after midnight. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my putting in the horse. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "When did she vanish, then?" concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, ventilator." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "You horrify me!" springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "How can you tell that?" propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my she to prove their authenticity?" winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Then I shall certainly come." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are chamber." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a think you a quite exceptional woman." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged humiliation." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Yes, they were peculiar boots." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is of them has the shutters up.' the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in enough to aid us in our search." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must that there was nothing in it, after all." without a word or a look. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "'Yes, I promise.' which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, maid will bring up your coffee." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were round with crates and massive boxes. "Yes, it was twisted." "And you don't know his address?" the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. she to prove their authenticity?" License. You must require such a user to return or paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, Count Von Kramm." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, fishes. sofa. This way, please!" that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it experiences." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will that, and I came down." happened." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you and capable of preserving a secret.' there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." golden eyeglasses. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs this man was intellectual?" morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "None. Neville wrote those words." call you and give you the chance." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried you." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third entirely devoid of interest." quick march!" dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than mysterious end." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Yes, the wine-cellar." remarked. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a mystery." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay