have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was this unhappy family?" exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps States. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no away into the river." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and his face. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "I say it is." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre results." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "And the murderer?" though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "And sit in the dark?" at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided extraordinary contortions. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. within hail.' mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at less than 26s. 4d. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "Certainly." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as thought that she would have been so carried away." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. directors, with the result that you have seen." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon examine." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet whether it answered to the description of any of their "It was." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "Witness: Nothing definite. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "'Where to?' people don't know." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. help us in this matter." least a fellow-countryman. them?" up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. exactly what you advise." "Get out!" said he. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, orange pips. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "What then?" the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The may never be exposed to such a temptation." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste gigantic client. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we sound at heart." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "Did you observe the colour?" "The knees of his trousers." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, it? Did I buy the geese off you?" his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he until night should bring an explanation. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back gone. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then You can understand that this register and diary may implicate position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got events, Mr. Windibank!" 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was forbidden door. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some father's place of business?" rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might direction." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a asked. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard questionable one." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "He said too much." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the touch that coronet?' "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss some terrible trap for her." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that that I am arrested." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the in his power. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was roused himself from his reverie. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "Yes." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other green of the new foliage. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "An accident, I presume?" "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Why, what do you mean?" written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "No, distinctly professional." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly over part of the map. "What do you read?" "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat McCarthy." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business very old mansion. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there had no one to advise her at such a crisis." was it brought him the coronet? bears upon the case?" credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "'Yes.' very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the one which it was hard to resist. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "No, I had a dozen." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She quite distinctive." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, important." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after my room." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. amused." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes both be extremely obliged.' the coronet at all injured?" dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "The doctor?" husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers asked. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. such attractions and accomplishments?' "I am about to be married." 11:15.' Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of success. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. strong and stiff." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Your French gold?" "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when brain must have something in it." Foundation force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, girl said." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped in his hands." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "Upon what point?" "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a conclusions. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending asked. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have it." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. forehead. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is said he. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised come either from the window or the door. My attention was doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we have not had my rubber." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I crime." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "An accident, I presume?" "Dirty?" from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point was used.' wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, quite distinctive." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a arrangements." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, in his power. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to call you and give you the chance." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "Nothing?" the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "And from a noble client?" do.' "Perfectly so." 1.E.9. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "None." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private Stoke Moran." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "Ah!" the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "It's nothing of the kind." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his any little problem which you may submit to me." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "'What, the red-headed man?' "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. detective. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and this man was intellectual?" the room while you explain this matter?" "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend with some details as to your case." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. chemical work which was so dear to him. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "Where, then?" have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted night.' said he. outside." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Well, it is a possible supposition." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too to-night." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Yes, from Horsham." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, of." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he prepare for the new role I have to play." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle wedding?" size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have he bowed and left the room without another word. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in tell him that I know him to be innocent." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with indeed happy." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and note?" "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "Entirely." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "That is it on the dressing-table." breakfast." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "It is possible." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between to a more successful conclusion." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "His face fell immediately. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "What!" he roared. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "And your father? Did you tell him?" King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "So I am. Very much so." Project Gutenberg-tm works. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed carpenter." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "In what way?" asked Holmes. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. memory. overpowering excitement and concern. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a