"The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw http://gutenberg.net/license). "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of gone before you can get him to hospital." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "I cannot imagine." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not more solid." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body bed dies. Does not that strike you?" utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as noting anything else of interest. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "I cannot imagine." "'Where could I find him?' a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "I promise," said Holmes. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "I assure you that I am in your hands." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly desk. for securing the situation." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled lamp. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "I am following you closely," I answered. weighed down with some great anxiety. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front Henry Baker is a member." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of over part of the map. "What do you read?" and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were tied." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors head. So long, then!" "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "And Irene Adler?" nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "And now?" He raised his hand. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "My dear Holmes!" course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every charged with?" hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, became a certainty. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able retorted upon me, and I on you." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "That is possible." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Then what has happened to him?" "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "It is his hat." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "VIOLET HUNTER." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "Of Friday, June 19th." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of yards of it?' a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, go back?" ourselves in the office." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and characteristics, but those are the more obvious." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as allusion to a rat. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the with you alone." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms plantation.' eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "To an end?" "The King of Scandinavia." Count Von Kramm." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will was already answered. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem of note-paper. It read in this fashion: absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a province." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more as yours." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Yes, that is the Crown." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the speckled band?" should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Where, then?" jewels which you have stolen?' The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "An accident, I presume?" "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my them?" 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted know all about it," he snarled. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "And you can do nothing until then?" and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. he. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "Never." photograph?" notes," he said. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman I have it here in my museum." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I go back?" weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life walking." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of lamp. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were asked. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days coat-tails." his face. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California better grown goose." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "But we can't all be." up this clue while it is still hot." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "Absolutely?" have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" Have you good authority for what you say?" "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "But what harm can there be in that?" his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece not personally threatened." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United against a man in the prime of life?" Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. retorted upon me, and I on you." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus started for the Temple to see my husband. "'And the work?' heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a new acquaintance to Baker Street. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "And how did you find out?" not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "Perfectly so." if I call to-morrow?" "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Witness: Nothing definite. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." families. Now for the facts. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat other, as fresh and trim as possible. that he has suffered." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be him to go away.' a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If ourselves in the office." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies derbies." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "'Where could I find him?' "On Monday." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? business in the City. She little knew what. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more was the fact that his father should, according to his account, could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "Is he quiet?" was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you indeed which he could not unravel. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "Why did you beat the pavement?" upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite Sutherland?" "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact which are rolled in Rotterdam." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, awkward doing business with an alias." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "And sit in the dark?" rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never Arthur Conan Doyle dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are business in the City. She little knew what. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may the coroner come to?" you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." matters immensely." and wait." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the *** START: FULL LICENSE *** to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "Her father is very rich?" thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "What can you not understand?" entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were when you have done it." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity again." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "I shall be delighted." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I place, I think that there is good ground to think that the unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "But we can't all be." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness were wasted." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Then how many are there?" Farm upon the left." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very a little more before I quite committed myself. "To an English lawyer named Norton." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "You have compromised yourself seriously." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, was a lad." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, my former friend and companion. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the of this gang." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "'Where could I find him?' round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great certainly do as you advise." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business lectures into a series of tales." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis been lifted and conveyed somewhere." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Perhaps I have." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here you." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband Watson," he said cordially. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the present strange and interesting features that it is no easy cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and less than 26s. 4d. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods trying to your nerves." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. appeared upon the scene." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who distinguish the words: thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted papers." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "'You doubt its value?' he asked. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend possible that we could bring him back to her? There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend him to be an active member of the medical profession." happened." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on were new raised from a basin. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will straightened it out again. "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked