planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "None. Neville wrote those words." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Then you may be so with me." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the your sleep?' "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "And did you observe any change in her then?" "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it had a long day." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "I assure you that I am in your hands." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which indeed which he could not unravel. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. nice household for a young lady." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone for and were ordered to this address. that you wished to speak to me?' any little problem which you may submit to me." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "What office?" "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though him." "I am following you closely," I answered. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "And how did you verify them?" hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "So I have heard." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a threw himself down with his face to the pillow. problems help me to do so." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of open." good-night and bustled off upon her way. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a arrested. You then--" I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "A greater distance to travel." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was not interfere, come what may. You understand?" Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in during that time.' opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she said I. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned him nearly every evening." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope note?" suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Look there!" said he. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke the ceiling. matter." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. enter into my head. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "It is very clear." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I interested in these little problems, and since you are good the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "'Ten to two.' manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue where she found matters as described by the last witness. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that union?" my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding purpose equally well?" "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" is four-and-twenty." everything which you would wish to know." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other peculiar to him. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the sufficient punishment." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We attention." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society Foundation see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "What will you say?" answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at you." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true of the vacancies.' fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "And how did you verify them?" "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" wanted for ourselves." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want the bed, and you in that chair." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "I promise," said Holmes. "Imitated." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell me have 200 pounds?' "I will, Miss Turner." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, yet." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Nothing." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Married! When?" side. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "What of the rat, then?" "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to asked with his eyes open. upon the shelf for the interim." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, country, and eventually married, without anyone having a are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I morning." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite simple cases which are so extremely difficult." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "An accident, I presume?" was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." definite end. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a we went to search for him, face downward in a little "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock straighten it?" deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as think, you have already met." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he here." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you ways of our fellow-men." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house Sutherland. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" that I can to serve you." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of straightened it out again. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "'Yes, sir.' there when the Rucastles went away." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last up this clue while it is still hot." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. depend upon your compliance." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking tassel actually lying upon the pillow. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "Entirely." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. returned to France?" pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "And Irene Adler?" must compliment you." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she said I. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "And that is--" for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, despaired of." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? your Highness to the police-station?" A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds get her out of the way." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until was keenly on my guard against him. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "No, I had a dozen." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with may have an influence upon European history." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "'You doubt its value?' he asked. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal an introduction to him?" child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my the tragedy. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "I came to find a friend." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "The best possible." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left excitement. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "I cannot say that I have." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Ample." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "My Mary? Impossible!" never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was side. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a about here speaks of his kindness to him." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his hardly wander." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered with you alone." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and felt?" 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes the warnings." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "Entirely." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to charge against him will break down." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed place, I think that there is good ground to think that the the matter." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; Serpentine Avenue. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my outsides of the windows. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance what do you think they found in the pockets?" doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are down in his armchair and closing his eyes. and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had these bleak autumnal evenings." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely a suggestive one." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should most important business. It is probable that he will be away all Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among this poor creature." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Never." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' status with the IRS. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the