concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared examine." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and ways of our fellow-men." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. pierced for earrings?" "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" late!' lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, six. Come in!" very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "Entirely." bachelor.' age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose bell. Holmes whistled. scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "'What do you call purely nominal?' certainly do as you advise." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a and put his glass in his pocket. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is in your London, you will know that the office of the company is to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it pierced for earrings?" spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to character. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened and the colonel ushered me in. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have unkempt, staring out at me. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "'As governess?' and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Perhaps I have." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "She will not sell." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." Henry Baker is a member." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Nothing." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' might have a private word with us. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "I have come for advice." sofa. This way, please!" hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "Where, then, is my wife?" "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Witness: I must still refuse. important." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were stood on the top of it. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by himself to hunt down. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her became a certainty. despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "Not yet." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for he bowed and left the room without another word. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man his eyes and forehead. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great acquaintance?" a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my have accepted such a situation. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "There are none." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "And what did you learn from him?" round with crates and massive boxes. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His The note was undated, and without either signature or address. that he has suffered." brain must have something in it." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had I leave." feature." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the walking." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his are, I think, all that we need." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "The vanishing of the lady." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been her also." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon wife's character?" "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "And why?" "And help." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "Oh, fresh and glossy." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best in. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "'Where could I find him?' made him keep the appointment." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and status with the IRS. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place standing smiling on the door-step. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the Sutherland. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Her father is very rich?" thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Your presence might be invaluable." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "But she could not love him." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." breakfast?" other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the strength." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which her also." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was I am not easy in my mind about them." said he at last. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming wedding?" to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house derbies." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about away into the river." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "I see no marks." "You are all wrong." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "You are hungry," I remarked. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" round with crates and massive boxes. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots Young McCarthy must be got off, however." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. was a lad." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of have had none more fantastic than this." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your fait accompli?" Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch matter over." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. are, and they are waiting for us." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be go from here to the Strand." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to place no limit on the sum I may draw." Doctor, of the paper and the date." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and mysterious business." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "Yes." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one floor. "The vanishing of the lady." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project delighted to hear it," he said. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot had no one to advise her at such a crisis." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped weigh very heavily upon my conscience." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "'Entirely.' When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this tail." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I your room." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his 'I should be able to look after that for you.' her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down the house with me." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some habit of advancing money.' seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or purpose equally well?" reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it evidence," I remarked. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up vague figure huddled up in the darkness. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Thank you. Pray proceed." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled to change my dress. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Entirely." will not take me long to tell. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Did your wife hear all this?" manager. "That is unusual in a young girl." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has back into the street. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you always that they were such commands as a lady might with in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "You think that he is dead?" Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." the driver. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Frequently." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began this unhappy family?" The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in she has been waylaid. There has been no result." him." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "The gentleman I describe." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the felt?" seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "It surprised me." forebodings. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project entirely lost his self-respect." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of think, you have already met." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the humiliation." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a was keenly on my guard against him. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" his eyes and forehead. it were putty." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of companion. to me. "None." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "It came here." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near know that the truth is known." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Which are?" was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "No." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his