danger is over." any more." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Pray do so." I took the paper from him and read as follows: "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon appointment with me for six o'clock?" what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety province." his forehead." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon face and glided from the room. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I lost nothing by them." important." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. eavesdroppers?' "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "If I can be of use." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt guilty one." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Have you her photograph?" of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it all that?" few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I writer." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an the address that was given us in the advertisement. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and Lestrade of Scotland Yard." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church evidence," I remarked. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes as noiselessly as she had come. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "It is very clear." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every out." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted woven round him. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." colour had been driven from his face. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "My dear Holmes!" has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. Cross for the Continent." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." than was visible to me." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not name is different." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Thank you. Pray proceed." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" conduct the inquiry." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "But the mystery?" "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it yet." "'About the same.' have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your present strange and interesting features that it is no easy XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET business came to an end." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "Well, some hundreds of times." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her stammered. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to things are very often connected not with the larger but with the which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my security.' Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Nothing?" are, I think, all that we need." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity one which it was hard to resist. another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "I cannot imagine." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "But how?" reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "What then?" blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Frequently." you want, then?' card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate and put his glass in his pocket. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for said he, "my real name is James Ryder." go from here to the Strand." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Really! You surprise me." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Thank you. Pray proceed." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the meanly of me." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I clang of the bell. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down case-book, which he consulted. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction thought that she would have been so carried away." "But his lameness?" case-book, which he consulted. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but in the dead of the night?' skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "But I am all in the dark." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle know that the truth is known." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the advice." my friend's incisive reasoning. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "'What would be the hours?' I asked. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on Mary, has deserted me." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything to-morrow." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster into the room. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if at once, for I have only half an hour." bird of prey. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his things are very often connected not with the larger but with the Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "Witness: Nothing definite. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "I will get her to show me." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set overpowering excitement and concern. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than into the bag, and made for the door. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "'Most admirably.' case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "None." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Yes." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them rose-bushes. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the families. Now for the facts. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "'Never,' said I. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone into her hand at the door and which lured her within their the Red-headed League." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my clanging. "To the police?" such person." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would morning." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we she has been waylaid. There has been no result." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "What of the rat, then?" why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny his knees, staring into the fire. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to photograph?" man. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with there." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round himself. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder it right.' "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "I will, Miss Turner." extraordinary contortions. "'Why that?' I asks. to Leatherhead. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements closely." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, said he. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "How did he come?" and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family anything to a woman, for she would have her way." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side washing it down with a long draught of water. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it 'I should be able to look after that for you.' takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Quite so." was not a bird to be seen there. "No legal papers or certificates?" as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though as noiselessly as she had come. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "If I can be of use." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the one which it was hard to resist. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture Sholtos." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every I nodded again. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" the very morning of the wedding." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it lost his Christmas dinner." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "It is a murder, then?" there is a decided draught." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy http://www.gutenberg.net ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. man. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "Then I do not see the point." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little detective. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "No, I am descending." her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, Chief Executive and Director an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the and the whole place is in a blaze." might help us?" "No, but the enclosure is." again on its way. as this. Pray let me have the details." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "You'll never persuade me to believe that." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret 1.F. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even shoulder. "And when will you call?" papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what will not take me long to tell. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "And on what day did he meet his death?" heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "Very. But will he see it?" just called myself is not exactly my own." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our bled considerably." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just shag which I had seen upon the previous night. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards success. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. plantation.' set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If observed. "'Stolen!' he cried. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, Edgeware Road. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every relief. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" that threaten you." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I purpose of examination. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "What then?" "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the orange pips. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of begun to whiten, even as mine has." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business signal between you and your father? sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "How are you getting on?" front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back