fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of chamber." "And did you observe any change in her then?" granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had placed his cuttings. any more." his cane at the bell-pull. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This for the market.' it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. signal between you and your father? was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few recover the gem." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon his face. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the secret." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "To an English lawyer named Norton." there when the Rucastles went away." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened along the entire front of the house, with three long windows name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is answer." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed The police have openly confessed that they can at present make reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because for its centre. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the what I may call a really hard day's work." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at address. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one horse could go." "Certainly." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers until night should bring an explanation. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and clang of the bell. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. someone who had been in Australia." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during http://gutenberg.net/license). river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of more terrible than the truth. "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his mystery." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round enter into my head. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we golden eyeglasses. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, think that he is innocent?" sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: absolutely follow my advice in every respect." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "Which surely he restored to their owner?" was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Yes, there are nearly always some there." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it how narrow had been my escape. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. bare slabs of marble. "Where, then, is my wife?" back alive. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in bachelor.' always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds the stones. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black writers could invent nothing more crude." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further triumphant cloud from his cigarette. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler 1.F. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are been." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his and prosperity to your house. Good-night." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and on in his house." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, corner of the building. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then again." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back envelope. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in keep the flames under. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom as yours." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If been deceived." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" exactly what you advise." I approached. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they your bag." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. seven miles from Eyford Station.' the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see call for protection in the marriage market, for the present way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "So I heard. You have him here?" "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "That is not always so easy." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my lids now and glanced across at his visitor. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner come either from the window or the door. My attention was It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an gentleman's clothes. criminal. We have already had experience of such." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "But what is it you wish?" affection." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I me. You must get home instantly and act." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was was it brought him the coronet? "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set it." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at that, and I came down." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided became a certainty. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already the so-precious time, but come!' name is different." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "What is it?" Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local you." "The best possible." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. taking in every detail of the apartment. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "You have the photograph?" flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck you." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair enter Dr. Roylott's room." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Dr. Becher's." there." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not absolutely follow my advice in every respect." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," colonel looking down at me. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with fat-encircled eyes. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage disappearance of these gems?" grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The some terrible trap for her." digesting their breakfasts at home." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "By all means." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Entirely." nights." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "It is very kind of you." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger the window, rose as we entered. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "An enemy?" of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn jewels which you have stolen?' sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this were unconscious?" slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am key of the affair now." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am to go into your room and bar your shutters?" inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates round and wave him away like that.' with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and this Miss Turner." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "None." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened retorted upon me, and I on you." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "'And what are they worth?' I asked. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey triumphant cloud from his cigarette. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "'In my own bureau.' Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "10th. John Swain cleared. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." which our visitor detailed to us. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, if I call to-morrow?" off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to business matters.' lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one always that they were such commands as a lady might with Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has thin legs towards the fire. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Then he might have called to you?" is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "What have you to say now?" is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp enter into my head. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my business." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be money should be paid at once.' opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. you." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never observed. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "I assure you that I am in your hands." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." keep the flames under. shoulder. anything to do with the matter?" putting in the horse. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled hard-headed British jury." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such ways of our fellow-men." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to make me his representative both with the servants and with the takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Nothing?" of this gang." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Only as much as we can deduce." your only hope of safety." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "And now?" I asked. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is amused." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was cigar and let me expound." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "You have a clue?" "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a invisible to me," I remarked. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their of receipt of the work. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the constraint." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion was a lad." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Texas, I think." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then me where it went to?" "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "'In my own bureau.' of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were