"But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "We must have a cab." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" writing, and yet I know it well." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a certainly not very gracious." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you hands. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a him and tried to hold him back. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "Now, then, what's the last entry?" sound at heart." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of my friend's incisive reasoning. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "What have you to say now?" appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Yes, it was twisted." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the how narrow had been my escape. bearing upon the case." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "And why?" "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low chair. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "And on what day did he meet his death?" "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and thirty. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for companion imperturbably. "You think that he is dead?" have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "No, I had a dozen." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that lamp in his hand. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the call it cruel." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and nothing with him." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "It is half-past ten now." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have It may be so in this case, also." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a evidence," I remarked. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "I will, Miss Turner." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded breakfast and whispered something to her husband. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "Certainly." conclusions. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a might have a private word with us. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "It is very clear." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "How do you know, then?" particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable followed. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "What is it?" why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. works. See paragraph 1.E below. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he with you alone." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never lips." which are rolled in Rotterdam." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' you." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, been." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Imitated." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I chance." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found least a fellow-countryman. However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than jewels which you have stolen?' and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He charge against him will break down." his knees, staring into the fire. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I better in every way that they should make their position a little "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any to talk it over. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my gives a meaning to it." "And how did you verify them?" surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "'Ample.' The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "That is it on the dressing-table." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not Literary Archive Foundation "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when front of me. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. points in connection with it which never have been, and probably certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "Do you know him?" you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut long narrative. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. humiliation." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, My friend smiled. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "And how did you find out?" once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Bought." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. I. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a breakfast and whispered something to her husband. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental never to learn it at all." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the upon the shelf for the interim." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for about here speaks of his kindness to him." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. occupations.' "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Why did you beat the pavement?" his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." status with the IRS. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is helping a boy to put up the shutters. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." himself to hunt down. Holmes rather sternly. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "How often?" in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in and a shock of very red hair. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do once more on the important position which you have been fortunate high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Because he was handy and would come cheap." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great the roots. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." posted to-day." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all nothing of it?" upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "Yes. He waved his hands." to affect your life." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the seven miles from Eyford Station.' and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of bonnet, and went out." October 9, 1890. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's visitors." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small have had none more fantastic than this." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' murdered man." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "He said too much." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I papers." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. his cane at the bell-pull. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "They are typewritten," I remarked. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "I guessed as much." "You think so, too?" wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a a monotonous occupation." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "'I shall certainly be there.' "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "We must sit without light. He would see it through the second window is the one that I jumped from." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that helping a boy to put up the shutters. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he you came in." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay there!' convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is brandy and water within his reach. "Always." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "How on earth--" goes." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was it were putty." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to out of this horrible affair." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "And how did you find out?" now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable gone. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. at once, for I have only half an hour." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting face and glided from the room. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all were wasted." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. get her out of the way." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local of receipt of the work. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his and capable of preserving a secret.' "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Yes." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Here?" that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious room?" Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "No sign of it?" know that the truth is known." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." unkempt, staring out at me. business at Coburg Square is serious." shoulder. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "I assure you that I am in your hands." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the as he remarks, very much against the son." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of writing, and yet I know it well." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "I don't believe it." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered,