left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only Miss Holder?" "VIOLET HUNTER." "How about poison?" "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one face and glided from the room. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "That is unusual in a young girl." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it the coronet in his hands?" "How long did she speak to this Alice?" furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have Holmes rather sternly. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be developed." tell them apart.' "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. Edgeware Road. there when the Rucastles went away." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the the coroner come to?" would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, drove away. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "And how did you verify them?" lamp in his hand. "I know where it is." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander been able to understand it, in a very few words. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of without a word or a look. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Yes?" order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I late." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of amused." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I all?" "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "I never have." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "The landlord of the Alpha." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has voice. business matters.' think that he is innocent?" "From his hat?" thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "So I have heard." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you Pool. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily I nodded again. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small thirty. I held the little printed slip to the light. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a ready to-morrow?' back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this the loss of it. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be works. See paragraph 1.E below. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." pierced for earrings?" with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" him. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door straightened it out again. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over look dissatisfied." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "And now?" He raised his hand. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." in the dead of the night?' "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "It must be recovered." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? despaired of." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." fatally injured? the ceiling. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "It must be recovered." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers evidence," I remarked. finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his these bleak autumnal evenings." delirious. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "Yes." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point next day. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "Pray do so." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was photograph?" "It is very kind of you." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it had a long day." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one appeal." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about have been better. It is all right." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Yes." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been have accepted such a situation. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "How often?" man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "'About the same.' "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Not particularly." "It was." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for completely overtopped every other consideration that we both three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of there were one or two details which were new to me. But the detective. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." goes." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I Clair, of Lee." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by be sorry for having acted so harshly." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the some city in a dream. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always appeared upon the scene." "You think that he is dead?" "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he presume?" saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "Here?" the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to answer." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "Whose house is it?" have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "On the contrary, this is the right side." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed Mary, has deserted me." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I several quiet little villages up there." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "Yes, it was twisted." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge conceal it?" as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the before, for it was considerably after midnight. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you Literary Archive Foundation "And Irene Adler?" therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in of the way of danger. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice leaning back in his chair. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency awkward doing business with an alias." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "How long did she speak to this Alice?" post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "How did he come?" pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the know what is wrong with it.' purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such not personally threatened." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My the window, rose as we entered. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The of Fenchurch Street." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Well, but China?" "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "I know where it is." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "But I am all in the dark." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the bonnet, and went out." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to affection." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "The decline of his fortunes, then?" as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." as the one I chose?' "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Who by?" ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Pray continue your narrative." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers bedroom door." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no and capable of preserving a secret.' adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master question. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that enter into my head. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "What will you do, then?" transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "'About the same.' "'Tell me all about it,' said I. newspaper selections." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to throat." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. three fields round his house, and there he would take his simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "Yes." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than the room while you explain this matter?" "Yes." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" once more for Briony Lodge. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" eat it." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" amused." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" that threaten you." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and the date of his supposed suicide." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, appointment with me for six o'clock?" some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of may never be exposed to such a temptation." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if room?" directly by questioning you." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "He slept on the premises." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me discontent upon his features. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "By all means." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger enter into my head. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "Come in!" said he. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night guilty one." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do