called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. whole matter to your consideration." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and one's self under obligations.' "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put examine." see a sister of mine apply for." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "It must be recovered." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Never." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "It is no ordinary one." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my to have been novel and of interest." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. morning." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you once more on the important position which you have been fortunate fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my are, and they are waiting for us." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than retorted upon me, and I on you." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your one or two very singular points about this room. For example, someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding points in connection with it which never have been, and probably should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner of campaign. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in window when the police appeared." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I Miss Holder?" pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt than was visible to me." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room house for five minutes.' "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. noting anything else of interest. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would row." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "Very. But will he see it?" Holmes' face clouded over. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it gives a meaning to it." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and stood on the top of it. "You think that he is dead?" concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "So I am. Very much so." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I their singular warning or token before them when starting upon little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with Have you good authority for what you say?" the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the My friend smiled. through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have me what he had done with the three missing stones. would apply.' unkempt, staring out at me. your billet.' manager. door?" iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "And on what day did he meet his death?" seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did take the flies, but not before." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that notes," he said. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor fat-encircled eyes. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me away in different directions, and I went off to make my own dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to made him keep the appointment." "Yes." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "And is that all?" my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir chambers. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "Yes, from Horsham." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "I say it is." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. Gutenberg-tm License. asked with his eyes open. British peeress.'" you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down strong reason behind." Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "You were travelling in the States?" purpose of examination. feature." "Ample." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as their singular warning or token before them when starting upon in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that problems help me to do so." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident room?" planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "No more words. Get out!" Eyford." me. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "What! You do not mean bodies?" in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have sofa. This way, please!" prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to cup of tea. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "Married! When?" drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle back to my heart. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The ceremony." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to compunction about shooting them down." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my ran thus: "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: is," said he presently: All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the for and were ordered to this address. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed examination of the premises, but without finding anything which ordinary clothes on?" "How do you know, then?" laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET ago." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the meant." business came to an end." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, shoulder; "he's all right." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the way: down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. question," said Holmes, smiling. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault you want, then?' "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was upon an income of about 60 pounds." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the placed his cuttings. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "A call for help, you thought?" or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. entirely devoid of interest." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by seen the man in the road." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "Not yet." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do go--none." heavy and sharp instrument." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may distance from the station, and there we found the young lady red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Well, but China?" Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little there when the Rucastles went away." third from London." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and Count Von Kramm." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "Will you bet, then?" enough to aid us in our search." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "The knees of his trousers." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "Then I shall certainly come." "It is his hat." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "'There is a drive, then?' Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "Your sister is dead, then?" mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us galvanised. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the voice. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "He said too much." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in ordinary clothes on?" why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest them present such singular features as the strange train of "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "I will, Miss Turner." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "'What are you doing there?' he asked. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made ourselves in the office." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea the Assizes." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that affair. "Look there!" said he. the south-west, I see." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing roused himself from his reverie. "Of what?" the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you important." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of since then to throw any light upon what became of him." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "And did you observe any change in her then?" "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get sooner or later she must fall a victim. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. read it out to me." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "Nothing?" "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one a room. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some works. See paragraph 1.E below. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." gives a meaning to it." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed shoulder; "he's all right." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "'I am sure if I had known--' Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a official police." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country washing it down with a long draught of water. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. suddenly upon us." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his From what you have told me I think that it is possible that the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of Countess of Morcar's?" "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before Lee, in the county of Kent." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "When did it break out?" Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from more terrible than the truth. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "Yesterday." ashen face. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "It is possible." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it writers could invent nothing more crude." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued,