upon the shelf for the interim." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between morning." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at door?" had died away into the silence from which it rose. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "'Not at all. I only doubt--' fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival brandy and water within his reach. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "'And the work?' "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "'Ten to two.' matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "What is it?" pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into national property. I was determined that the law should have its His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "None." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking said he at last. "The murder was done with it." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "I think that I had better go, Holmes." him. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was business at Coburg Square is serious." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the despair." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "No more words. Get out!" stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Nothing." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one telegram would bring me down to your help." house for five minutes.' St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make late!' his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "Yes." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see reach." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. I am not easy in my mind about them." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away out of this horrible affair." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe already been minutely examined." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been up this clue while it is still hot." that, and I came down." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO the Assizes." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Of what?" resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very of receipt of the work. are windows in it, of course?" above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I him, that man would not have given me such complete information "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "But who is he?" thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "I saw her in conversation with her maid." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good Serpentine Avenue. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "Yes, there are nearly always some there." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "To an English lawyer named Norton." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would that he will be back before evening." "By all means." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced business matters.' "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "Do you go out much in society?" grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. other, as fresh and trim as possible. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "From his hat?" his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "No." acted in my house last night?" all?" inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. coat-tails." assist you in forming an opinion." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the may have an influence upon European history." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "He is dead," cried several voices. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not shag which I had seen upon the previous night. sparkled upon his finger. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Certainly, madam." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and Lee, in the county of Kent." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Certainly." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man business." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "No, I think that I'll take it." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man colour had been driven from his face. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before cost them two and thirty pounds." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. into the room. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under tear off another piece?' "'Certainly,' I answered. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's arrested. You then--" pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. imbecility!" he cried. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. them?" Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "It is his hat." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Why, what do you mean?" an introduction to him?" "Certainly." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO strength." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. just ask you whether you had heard it.' charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor to-night?' The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on walking." spare." "And leave your case unfinished?" "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he union?" must compliment you." "Why did you pick him?" "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of most important business. It is probable that he will be away all Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. waste of energy." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Then the page we have seen--" set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "At what time?" also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "He said too much." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. McCarthy's innocence. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had asked with his eyes open. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "She showed me, as I told you she would." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from manager. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "Not I." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable business?" "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "No, but the enclosure is." you in your example." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." tell him that I know him to be innocent." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "And how in the world did you find them?" wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly carriage. It was a chestnut." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if she to prove their authenticity?" accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I my special province." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the sufficient punishment." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' gone before you can get him to hospital." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "'I have heard so.' I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond is," said he presently: "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" fishes. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "When did she vanish, then?" footfalls from the street. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I developed." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "'Which dealer's?' "What! Had he lost his wife?" words came to my lips. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't tell them apart.' clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, main points of my analysis." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Yes, certainly." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. of the one which your family is now devouring." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "But his left-handedness." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from Chief Executive and Director Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his her also." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is his grey eyes. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Nothing." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black looking up at the numbers of the houses." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" weigh very heavily upon my conscience." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "Not him." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without fire. You quite follow me?" heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. for the market.' of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Her father is very rich?" forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he tapping his fingers upon the table. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and ourselves in the office." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "What of the rat, then?" "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his or other trace. But how on earth--" and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "None." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on heavily into it. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." official police." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "Ten will be early enough." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and bonnet, and went out." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Here?" in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "What can it mean?" I gasped. "A greater distance to travel." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks your bag." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, done what I asked you, Jones?" "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the disturbance in my wife." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental in one or two places in England?' "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Which surely he restored to their owner?" arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. hurried away. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have of receipt of the work. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Stoke Moran?" said he. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "BALLARAT." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "'Ten to two.' thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "No. His orders were to stay in the house." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was and shall probably return to London by the evening train." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that pound a week." overpowering excitement and concern. "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little undoubtedly my uncle's." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "'As governess?' pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over