telegram would bring me down to your help." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "The Cedars?" gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the villagers almost as much as their master. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Pray let us have it, for all that." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is arms and began to sob in a high treble key. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Here?" Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his in this way: sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those if only as a check to my own memory." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: anything to do with the matter?" would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of about here speaks of his kindness to him." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his way in." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well felt?" all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short with frightened eyes at his accuser. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "That's no good." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "Why did you pick him?" lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Yesterday." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that voice, changing her seat as requested. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of but preventing her from injuring another. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until to tackle the facts." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being Street. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it new acquaintance to Baker Street. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself allusion to a rat. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "'Yes, sir.' and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, here and I will read it to you: in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the one which it was hard to resist. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. opened the door, and slipped through. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined tension within him. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Come in!" said he. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Nothing." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "And how have you succeeded?" strong reason behind." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to the inquest, and which are worth considering." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "'How far from the body?' pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "I cannot think." "Why did you beat the pavement?" him nearly every evening." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and http://gutenberg.net/license). would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he London for the present?" its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed unprecedented a position." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong someone who had been in Australia." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would intrusion of other matters." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Ha! you find it so?" until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "And how did you verify them?" depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "I say that I have solved it." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Upon what point?" America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "There is the writing." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we colour had been driven from his face. London for the present?" "But how?" it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic burst out into a roar of laughter. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the kindly on the shoulder. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with the date of his supposed suicide." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he politicians who had been sent down from the North. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a down. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper congenial hunt. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." McCarthy's innocence. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and man. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." other lovers by making love himself." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she yet." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of advice." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to is four-and-twenty." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and triumphant cloud from his cigarette. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him with frightened eyes at his accuser. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all becomes even more simple." indeed happy." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Two days later this same performance was gone through under police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the it were putty." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the character. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle companion imperturbably. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together shadow pass over his face as I spoke. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be shoulder; "he's all right." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that never to learn it at all." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the she used." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then call it cruel." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on get the tickets." outside. "What will you do, then?" "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "I have my revolver," said I. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "One of the highest in England." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. works. See paragraph 1.E below. "But you have hopes?" grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone works. See paragraph 1.E below. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "So I have heard." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am to-night?" I asked. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I fasten all the windows?" difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. carriage. It was a chestnut." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom narrative." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Dr. Becher's." "Witness: I must still refuse. access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently Young McCarthy must be got off, however." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently the general public were present, then?" many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "How many? I don't know." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf long narrative. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature said he. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "No, finished." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for stepfather?" for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "My own seal." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always money should be paid at once.' also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. suspect him." with the outside air!" "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for me what he had done with the three missing stones. be.' got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Never." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "Quite so." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "And when will you call?" devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from hour?' week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs of note-paper. It read in this fashion: the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." you understand?" province." the inquest, and which are worth considering." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the invisible to me," I remarked. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and keep the flames under. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back never will be, entirely cleared up. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I instincts rose up against that laugh. up this clue while it is still hot." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room matter." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Indeed! Whose, then?" nonsense.' has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the locked. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the felt the room to be a little close.' accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away of your young ladies.' pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "But what harm can there be in that?" When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his not interfere, come what may. You understand?" heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." side. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the of them has the shutters up.' occupations.' remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Yes." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "What steps will you take?" I asked. despaired of." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Not yet." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "Certainly." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I everything which you would wish to know." introspective fashion. access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person place no limit on the sum I may draw." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "'It is locked up,' I answered. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." cause to be." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.'