other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "You are hungry," I remarked. everything which you would wish to know." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "I have a cab outside." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit British peeress.'" note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a to talk it over. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. written. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and been." appeal." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "Will you go?" I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious see me here to avoid scandal." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "Which surely he restored to their owner?" of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped in him." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" held up the lantern and gazed about him. and no precautions can guard against." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A matters immensely." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "The gentleman I describe." of his shoulders. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such way in everything. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no fashion which was peculiar to him. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind DAMAGE. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Your presence might be invaluable." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and client, rising. for securing the situation." "Nearly eleven." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "Breckinridge is his name." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up place of silver." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into lids now and glanced across at his visitor. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: vague figure huddled up in the darkness. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told disturbance in my wife." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "I was sure that I might rely on you." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, of this gang." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Yes, they were peculiar boots." over with notes and figures. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had Surrey." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself http://www.gutenberg.net His name is Francis Prosper." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "A greater distance to travel." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and gigantic client. electronic works "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it whether it answered to the description of any of their reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' wanted for ourselves." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "She told me to ask you." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was DAMAGE. laugh and put his lips to my ear. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still your co-operation." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "'How far from the body?' had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "I would pay ten." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "I should like to see him very much." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." affair. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "You have compromised yourself seriously." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if some place of shelter and let the county police know what has have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, events, Mr. Windibank!" of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in shaken than I had ever seen him. "At what time?" been with you?" Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "I should like to see him very much." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, said I. think that any burglar could have done. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the if she died from some sudden fright." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly least a fellow-countryman. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she not fit the lock." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "Of what?" "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "It is possible." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, peculiar to him. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "In the cells." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the absorbing." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem to take care of herself." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was him and tried to hold him back. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. just called myself is not exactly my own." the stable lane now." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "She told me to ask you." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, than to us. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, Pope's Court, Fleet Street." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco later, upon the night of May 2nd." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was frequently gained my first real insight into the character of massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was The summons was a brief and urgent one. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to 11:15.' remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "And did you observe any change in her then?" responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "It is possible." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of overpowering excitement and concern. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "And Irene Adler?" greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a my secret was safe in his possession. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of out." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I through." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "At the wedding breakfast." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her is so. I know all about McCarthy." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is http://www.gutenberg.net "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, prisoner's face. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady may have an influence upon European history." a good hundred miles off by now." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, ready to-morrow?' constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is present strange and interesting features that it is no easy feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' have I gained?" "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but go back?" of his shoulders. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me upon a handsome competence. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man whereabouts. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." your only hope of safety." occurred." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not as yours." kind enough to tell me what I should do." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, of his shoulders. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." the salesman. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "'Stolen!' he cried. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, bonnet, and went out." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, friend's singular character. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Very. But will he see it?" "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "On your arm?" With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when bled considerably." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival is entirely a question of barometric pressure." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "In what way?" asked Holmes. where we are going." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "What, then?" "Yes, sir." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. to surprise her." "Then you may entirely rely on me." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent the so-precious time, but come!' prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their less than 26s. 4d. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have to-morrow." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "Precisely." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." disappearance of the bride.'" full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in notes," he said. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Absolutely?" round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. 1.F. together. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are man. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange his wife has ceased to love him." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, completely overtopped every other consideration that we both constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with was keenly on my guard against him. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "I cannot tell." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, chair. child?' the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own kind enough to tell me what I should do." hurried by. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "Perhaps we may make them less so." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I to take care of herself." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a and inquire as to the address." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar companion quietly. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the Have you good authority for what you say?" India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "From his hat?" conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send that which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "I think that I had better go, Holmes." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire