have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his do you make of it all?" wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, one which it was hard to resist. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "Ah!" "'There is a drive, then?' and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "What!" he roared. Clair, of Lee." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, is acting for the best. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. of your young ladies.' with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, rat could hardly pass through." "And sit in the dark?" grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "An accident, I presume?" "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses constraint." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. page at http://pglaf.org us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up your sleep?' chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, crime. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall be best to do. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "I promise," said Holmes. writers could invent nothing more crude." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "Entirely." instituted." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates Sutherland. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "One?" is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged to Leatherhead. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "And why?" go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord system of imprisonment?" "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. outsides of the windows. "We were both in the photograph." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "Where is it, then?" adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really union?" "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "'Ample.' places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "Do you go out much in society?" the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "That you are never beaten." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. three of the beryls in it, was missing. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "We must have a cab." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and said I. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door correct than the official force." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he may never be exposed to such a temptation." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon said I. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his whatever might befall. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" plantation.' he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "I will, Miss Turner." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it and have this put in the evening papers." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and might help us?" burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his round with crates and massive boxes. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Pray do so." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "To an English lawyer named Norton." death." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was once more. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger page at http://pglaf.org headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the went to the Alpha were town bred." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. made him keep the appointment." coat-tails." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked Holmes' face clouded over. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, where she found matters as described by the last witness. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. to take care of herself." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment business came to an end." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are details." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "In answer to an advertisement." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you sake, don't!" slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "My opinion is in no way altered." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his it were putty." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, happened." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." over part of the map. "What do you read?" prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to It was close upon four before the door opened, and a who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "The Cedars?" "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your papers diligently of late, have you not?" case-book, which he consulted. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "No." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon events than those which have happened in my own family." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Look there!" said he. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "In the cells." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given this Miss Turner." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "But you would not advise me to refuse?" unkempt, staring out at me. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other that threaten you." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Yes." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had help us in this matter." business in the City. She little knew what. "I answered that I had not. together. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in call the police, let the police find what they can.' been with you?" come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "Were they all fastened this morning?" stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when I held the little printed slip to the light. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if the loss of it. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist respectable self." "Only as much as we can deduce." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "I say it is." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Only as much as we can deduce." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "You have carte blanche." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "BALLARAT." "I cannot imagine." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the of a light. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the villagers almost as much as their master. "I never have." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his writer." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "I have a cab outside." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than and the church but not where the lady lived." out." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. British peeress.'" old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. it." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is directors, with the result that you have seen." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when entirely devoid of interest." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. it." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H directors have had misgivings upon the subject." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are constraint." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three never came back." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened thirty. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm them?" quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running forehead. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote said he, "my real name is James Ryder." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "But it has twice been burgled." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." His name is Francis Prosper." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had three of the beryls in it, was missing. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, place no limit on the sum I may draw." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and strong reason behind." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in assist you in forming an opinion." "What can it mean?" I gasped. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, depend upon my doing so.' must be when I saw the door open.' Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with The summons was a brief and urgent one. fishes. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism nice household for a young lady." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more acquaintance?" rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I meant it for the best. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon least a most suspicious remark." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and