"I will not look." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered crime. beyond words. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "You were travelling in the States?" to tell." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp might help us?" number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Never." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "Yes, I have one waiting." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all the running down." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Stoke Moran?" said he. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of enter into my head. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson points in connection with it which never have been, and probably house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "And did you observe any change in her then?" "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford posted to-day." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than voice. his face. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that some mystery and the punishment of some crime." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the off." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "'What are you doing there?' he asked. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "Where, indeed?" looking up at the numbers of the houses." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND foresight and the moral retrogression?" blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing learned something! Where are the gems?" pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely him." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, long narrative. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at not come at once?" "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. voice. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious do.' "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "You were travelling in the States?" to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "I don't say that. Perhaps." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, were new raised from a basin. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting Henry Baker is a member." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself good-night and bustled off upon her way. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and morning." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of eat it." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "You have compromised yourself seriously." of Fenchurch Street." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I his huge brown hands. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should remarked. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, are, and they are waiting for us." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." husband's writing, madam." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my own family. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I I was concerned in it." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor at once, for I have only half an hour." breakfast?" the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Get out!" said he. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not impression behind it as though a window had gently closed the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." really the only notable feature about the thing." infinite languor in his face. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he strange features which were associated with the two crimes which higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to bill, which interests me deeply." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "VIOLET HUNTER." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "What can it mean?" I gasped. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. married her." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers straighten it?" body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss visitors." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Ample." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were to-night?" I asked. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "Witness: It was. one's self under obligations.' saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "A greater distance to travel." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." you." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "When did she vanish, then?" down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to good-night and bustled off upon her way. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "Never to return." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, habit of advancing money.' client, rising. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "But I am all in the dark." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in been shamefully used." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom 'please.'" flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But Pope's Court. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through into the bag, and made for the door. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Witness: It was. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "When did she vanish, then?" Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the seven miles from Eyford Station.' My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if in a friendly supper." distinguish the words: The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "That sounds a little paradoxical." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "And you don't know his address?" his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case papers." absorbing." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord entirely devoid of interest." "Yes." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to acquaintance?" the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his was the fact that his father should, according to his account, the tragedy. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "The decline of his fortunes, then?" father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give again." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "'Yes, it was gone.' "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin might have a private word with us. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must keep the flames under. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "The vanishing of the lady." records." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous writer." me." answered with a sidelong glance. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become to his chemical studies. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way letters?" had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom to surprise her." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "'What would be the hours?' I asked. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." seen the man in the road." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "On the contrary, this is the right side." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but British peeress.'" ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw the coronet in his hand?" My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his to-night?" I asked. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "'You cannot say what it was?' also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." without a word or a look. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my I shall communicate with you." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the problems help me to do so." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened You can understand that this register and diary may implicate had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a less than 26s. 4d. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than into her hand at the door and which lured her within their his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to man. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "Of Friday, June 19th." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "Pray let us have it, for all that." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "And the cigar-holder?" drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a take the flies, but not before." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Yes, from Horsham." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "Dirty?" but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." golden eyeglasses. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "But what will you do?" "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near your Highness to the police-station?" and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was From what you have told me I think that it is possible that whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his death." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there that the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "'Yes, I promise.' that there was nothing in it, after all." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few I shall continue with my miserable story. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his one of them." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" burst into a hearty fit of laughter. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to the side-table." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig."