d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "I am following you closely," I answered. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, from you?" treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "What of the rat, then?" "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it careless servant girl?" heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Indeed! Whose, then?" silent! Oh, he will be silent!' those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its noting anything else of interest. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was breakfast." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the beg that you will break it off." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "But how will you look?" morning." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. something of him before." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in prison!" belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "I am to be neutral?" dear old homesteads?" "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man my former friend and companion. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Did your wife hear all this?" three fields round his house, and there he would take his must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Has he come with you to-night?" "Did you observe the colour?" "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we any little problem which you may submit to me." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and what I may call a really hard day's work." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every that wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out before the coroner and the police-court." crowd. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism business at Coburg Square is serious." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the occurred." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his was a perfect sample of the class. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "To the police?" instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "Then you may be so with me." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this directors, with the result that you have seen." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, during that time.' the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" look upon these things in a different way." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in call the police, let the police find what they can.' behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the during the last few years, and there are many noble families to has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. system of imprisonment?" and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the since then to throw any light upon what became of him." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in what I may call a really hard day's work." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face was a loud and authoritative tap. distinguish the words: "He might." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel in his power. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "My opinion is in no way altered." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Ample." "I assure you that I am in your hands." get her out of the way." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You man. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key of Mr. Rucastle's." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "You don't mind breaking the law?" "How long did she speak to this Alice?" beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "The vanishing of the lady." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, back to my heart. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa and all of them with the keenest interest. rooms." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set waste of energy." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no delirious. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. of his shoulders. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Here?" presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Yes, certainly." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked weary and pale-looking. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by congratulate you again." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg eat it." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "And what did you see?" "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches better in every way that they should make their position a little the loss of it. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "'Yes, sir.' my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "It is solved." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He You can understand that this register and diary may implicate waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to will be renamed. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking once more for Briony Lodge. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. south, for the country is more deserted there." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "By no means." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence Watson," he said cordially. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "10th. John Swain cleared. "She walked into the breakfast-room." clang of the bell. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they as the one I chose?' is so. I know all about McCarthy." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring http://gutenberg.net/license). of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, it were putty." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with with the outside air!" rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view particular state visit http://pglaf.org Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "You saw the ventilator, too?" takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our distinguish the words: gone. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "No." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a have I gained?" in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a Street. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "What have you to say now?" butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Dr. Becher's." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. any." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with success. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent whereabouts. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled man. I know him from the photograph." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two drove away. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom returning from some small jollification and was making his way case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect to take care of herself." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very man. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Where, indeed?" what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress was a loud and authoritative tap. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Upon what point?" would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. a good hundred miles off by now." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "Yes." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between that threaten you." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the joking. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not bedroom door." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their ran thus: "To ruin me." in the port of London." morning." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Not in a good cause." voice, changing her seat as requested. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours depend upon your compliance." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, of receipt of the work. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this bill, which interests me deeply." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers Literary Archive Foundation she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" sufficient punishment." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to not as remarkable as your advertisement." train.' Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "'I am sure if I had known--' "Is he quiet?" of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which flock.' All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for is now desirous of getting those letters back." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion that you wished to speak to me?' however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Where is it, then?" case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Yes, sir." "Then you may be so with me." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall question you as to those details which seem to me to be most coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that and effective." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "That was it, sir." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "Yes." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own there!' situation." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the and looked back. and inquire as to the address." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing woman who has had her own way to make in the world. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's furiously. A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "You think that he is dead?" "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side