from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our colour had been driven from his face. the best of training." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a experiences." is four-and-twenty." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Yes, it was twisted." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," meanly of me." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a quickly through a disagreeable task. must compliment you." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "I warn you that they are very incomplete." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was him nearly every evening." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very most important business. It is probable that he will be away all conceal it?" in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been Literary Archive Foundation "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." brandy and water within his reach. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the returning from some small jollification and was making his way be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, heavy and sharp instrument." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing the best of training." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Very truly yours, peculiar to him. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double unclasping of his long thin hands. "What steps will you take?" I asked. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the eavesdroppers?' branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't at my own good fortune. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Where did he live, then?" "No sign of it?" correct than the official force." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue brought there to personate someone, and the real person is at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he side. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite horse could go." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course to a light-house. fuss that is made over them." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "What do you make of that, Watson?" his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms undoubtedly my uncle's." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to waste of energy." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Yes, but only for you and me." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have neither fascinating nor artistic." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back of the one which your family is now devouring." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter the little opening for the ventilator is." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "There are none." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and generous with you in money matters.' past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "What! Had he lost his wife?" child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "'What then?' I asked. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should both be extremely obliged.' useful material for showing traces. The double line a little met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "At the wedding breakfast." that you saw all that I did." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "'Yes, it was gone.' coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come during which he might have communicated with his friend the idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the of this gang." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "What!" he roared. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should writer." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "That is not always so easy." Holmes' face clouded over. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "I answered that I had not. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "'What do you call purely nominal?' up this clue while it is still hot." to surprise her." investigation." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. gone before you can get him to hospital." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw there is a decided draught." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you morning." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Thank you. And your address?" "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, in the hope of finding them." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the woven round him. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as said he. all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "I have a cab outside." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "From his hat?" "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "I promise," said Holmes. Holmes. the address that was given us in the advertisement. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought burst out into a roar of laughter. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small would then never go into court at all." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my gentleman's clothes. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "I answered that I had not. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could tension within him. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Proceed, then." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and that?' of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "So I am. Very much so." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "It was an hour's good drive." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head back into the street. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business chill to my heart. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "Dark enough and sinister enough." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "Yes, but only for you and me." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by even so self-evident a thing as that." dead, shall be safe with us." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "'I am sure that I do not know.' for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "Just look it up, then." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the bill, which interests me deeply." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was shag which I had seen upon the previous night. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "'And what salary do you ask?' copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise became a certainty. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am notes," he said. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," Stoke Moran." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but Holmes." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "What then?" he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire desk. "I was afraid that you were engaged." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle not interfere, come what may. You understand?" baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "Perfectly so." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: entirely devoid of interest." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "'Ten to two.' jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his power." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "I would pay ten." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a the bed, and you in that chair." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. himself in a perplexing position. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, relief. "He said too much." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Where to?" congenial hunt. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar future lives." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel he bowed and left the room without another word. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they she slowly sank and died without having recovered her called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. during which he might have communicated with his friend the grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "Then I can wait in the next room." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Has he come with you to-night?" understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, noise which awoke you from your sleep?" you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. papers on the sundial.'" my former friend and companion. were new raised from a basin. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." row." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the himself in a perplexing position. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the grasp, he hurried from the room. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "I shall most certainly do so." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "'I shall certainly be there.' might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my had formerly been in part my own. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as several quiet little villages up there." "Did you become engaged then?" "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had room. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been Street. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that up this clue while it is still hot." fluttered off among the others. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "Murdered?" geese which you supplied to the Alpha." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I at my own good fortune. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "'Very good.' to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would with her." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. occurred." your Highness to the police-station?" Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied Serpentine Avenue. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "And the cigar-holder?" skylight. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather gives a meaning to it." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all in one or two places in England?' puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several down from London to inquire more deeply into it." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "But it has twice been burgled." "May I see it?" tied." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the of it with the greatest attention. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned points in connection with it which never have been, and probably to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "Not I." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens a suggestive one." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while rose-bushes. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until room had already been engaged for us.