going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. and your relations to her." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "VIOLET HUNTER." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he fait accompli?" time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is you came in." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my Have you good authority for what you say?" "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a my special province." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen noise which awoke you from your sleep?" hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it DISSOLVED. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered away to you." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to been deceived." rat could hardly pass through." it means?" are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "She told me to ask you." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so on re-entering her father's house?" "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This place no limit on the sum I may draw." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to you." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "And now?" I asked. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in introspective fashion. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, be there in time for your coming." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much advice." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding might help us?" "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out nothing of it?" sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I habit of advancing money.' "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given Sutherland?" excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your congratulate you again." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to call for protection in the marriage market, for the present which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, that seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled my friend's incisive reasoning. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, name is different." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it over with notes and figures. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I people don't know." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." miles off. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "I have a cab outside." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief fat-encircled eyes. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "Where to?" our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." was a lad." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as from the brougham. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in suddenly upon us." to change my dress. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." or other trace. But how on earth--" seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of obstinate." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon completely overtopped every other consideration that we both spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. matter." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Nearly eleven." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not followed. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, gentleman's clothes. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any to take care of herself." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend round and wave him away like that.' "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling Pope's Court, Fleet Street." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting together. "Have you her photograph?" and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are province." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "'As governess?' writing, and yet I know it well." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "I came to find a friend." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged Pope's Court. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so call you and give you the chance." chance at all." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on name is different." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of to me. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his only touch the interest." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face upon the shelf for the interim." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "I was afraid that you were engaged." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the despaired of." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "Witness: I must still refuse. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "But what will you do?" upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. have an American origin." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "By no means." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "Nothing?" to-night?" I asked. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as His name is Francis Prosper." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. shall not find me ungrateful." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his on re-entering her father's house?" started for the Temple to see my husband. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "Because he was handy and would come cheap." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a Holmes' face clouded over. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "Witness: I must still refuse. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord have not had my rubber." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he gentleman's clothes. "I should wish to." "'Why that?' I asks. kindly on the shoulder. you for a few hours?" "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "Yes, there are nearly always some there." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "There is the writing." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! occurred." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can and capable of preserving a secret.' spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside the nursery. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "I should be immensely obliged to you." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' of Mr. Rucastle's." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before tear off another piece?' handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "That sounds a little paradoxical." Again Holmes raved in the air. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried of it with the greatest attention. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "But how did you gain them?" governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "The murder was done with it." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, you." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "An enemy?" your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "What then?" the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a skylight. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain the bed, and you in that chair." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this outsides of the windows. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white possible that we could bring him back to her? boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent Cross for the Continent." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort during the last few years, and there are many noble families to favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as call you and give you the chance." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be experiences." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. emerged. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight you want, then?' the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire night.' said he. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "My dear Holmes!" that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, residence of the great financier. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in call the police, let the police find what they can.' may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying to-night's adventure." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), very old mansion. During two years I have had three consultations and one small basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with will find little credit to be gained out of this case." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. with the outside air!" With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "But of what society?" copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon placed his cuttings. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "In heaven's name, what for?" bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Witness: I must still refuse. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so sufficient punishment." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of his face. "They are typewritten," I remarked. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and conversation I have gathered that they have been married about unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. chamber." "You have carte blanche." "And is that all?" nothing with him." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with