extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was roused himself from his reverie. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "His face fell immediately. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "You have compromised yourself seriously." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. It may be so in this case, also." of this gang." "You have but to name it." followed. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by shall not find me ungrateful." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Was the window open?" prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a works. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "'Certainly,' I answered. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Not I." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very individual and becomes the badge of a society." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events the very letters. But what is this written above them?' the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "You saw the ventilator, too?" force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "How often?" some water from a caraffe. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a them?" can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded one of the states of the Union." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, the tragedy. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church kind enough to tell me what I should do." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "Not I." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had absorbing." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. Surrey." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really do you make of it all?" unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as breakfast." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting yards of it?' you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home hour." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "I will try. What is it?" agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet as the one I chose?' dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in might have a private word with us. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "What will you do, then?" mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother very morning of my second wedding." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled would then never go into court at all." wall." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have husband's writing, madam." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "'As governess?' Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered straightened it out again. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good in this way: "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "On the contrary, this is the right side." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire the loss of it. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," completely overtopped every other consideration that we both and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of thin legs towards the fire. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I started for the Temple to see my husband. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. colonel looking down at me. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we were unconscious?" "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me over with notes and figures. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed down. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "A thing like a cleaver," said he. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend get the tickets." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the DISSOLVED. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the very peculiar words of the dying woman?" against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "'Tell me all about it,' said I. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "Who was the criminal, then?" 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "And it is--" take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and to where he stood hid behind the curtain. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood you?' Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had the house with me." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to only touch the interest." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as all that?" reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the your troubles." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with upon the shelf for the interim." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with tail." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "Very well, sir. And this stone?" child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "No, but the enclosure is." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "'In my own bureau.' bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare better in every way that they should make their position a little unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "Yes." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." me have 200 pounds?' "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his himself to tell his story. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Her father is very rich?" there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Why serious?" "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "She walked into the breakfast-room." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' fuss that is made over them." me." "'You cannot say what it was?' warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no both be extremely obliged.' behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with evidence," I remarked. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "'Ample.' "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "I am sure." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily mysterious end." started for the Temple to see my husband. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "'Yes, I promise.' gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to lost nothing by them." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Upon what point?" Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his not fit the lock." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "If I can be of use." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "The King of Scandinavia." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he and shall probably return to London by the evening train." straightened it out again. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I This is what he says: nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "He is dead," cried several voices. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Why? What do you mean?" memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "And how have you succeeded?" upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "No." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "'Yes, I promise.' "How often?" of a light. with you?" never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Could he throw no light?" of a light. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no This is what he says: PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "And I say east," said my patient. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring envelope. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" present." knowledge of the world." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary for its centre. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your place no limit on the sum I may draw." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up orange pips. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive him and tried to hold him back. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." some city in a dream. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "He said too much." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "Yes, sir." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "I don't say that. Perhaps." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving thirty. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "How are you getting on?" it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Breckinridge is his name." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you in one or two places in England?' age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, such attractions and accomplishments?' "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of own family. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal think that any burglar could have done. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year interest. They are important, you understand, without being it with his own hands." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Yes." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "By no means."