but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him invisible to me," I remarked. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You system of imprisonment?" It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while point in the dark hollow of his hand. "No, I am descending." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. that I am arrested." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one think, you have already met." secret." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is your equipment. yards of it?' having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "I would pay ten." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this seen the man in the road." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "Her father is very rich?" "The doctor?" iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" characteristics, but those are the more obvious." secret." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Is he quiet?" my room." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Pray let us have it, for all that." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary together. "And how did he make his money?" possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, again on its way. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "What!" he roared. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand article?" annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was and looked back. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "You know me, then?" strength in the others." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, an introduction to him?" "One of the highest in England." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk charge against him will break down." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has meanly of me." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "Precisely so. But how--" make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "None." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove retorted upon me, and I on you." your sleep?' turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. hour." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "It is possible." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good families. Now for the facts. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. woven round him. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was to some other building. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. power." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could thin, with a long, sharp nose?" you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, your own bird, so if you wish--" my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" Cross for the Continent." "How do you know, then?" Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "She told me to ask you." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, have an American origin." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so woman who has had her own way to make in the world. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was chance at all." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Yes." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "I am in hopes that she does." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Well." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was mystery may be cleared along those lines." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. about. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "Yes, he did." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of compunction about shooting them down." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "Upon what point?" rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to indeed happy." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to present." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert now. It seems that there had been some informality about their agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and answered with a sidelong glance. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "None." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen of them has the shutters up.' very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" here and I will read it to you: "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, charged with?" he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should call for it in person on Monday morning.' number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your ready to-morrow?' younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "On Monday." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away laugh and put his lips to my ear. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version one of the states of the Union." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "Married! When?" The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover strength in the others." "Yes, that is the Crown." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, at my own good fortune. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands Eyford at 11:15.' It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. II. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "No, I think that I'll take it." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that returned to France?" de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no he. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "Never." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, miles off. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a Watson," he said cordially. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed grasp, he hurried from the room. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "No bad?" "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is becomes even more simple." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "No, distinctly professional." tied." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting think that any burglar could have done. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable some water from a caraffe. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "Well, some hundreds of times." wanted for ourselves." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, you found me to-night--and running through the front room she in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Of what?" "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." and inquire as to the address." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both your room." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Not in a good cause." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the cause to be." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the II. "Yes." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith the address that was given us in the advertisement. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety suspect him." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at wanted for ourselves." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "'Certainly not.' It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "'A dozen yards or so.' perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she if only as a check to my own memory." "I see no marks." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "And the murderer?" cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If following enigmatical notices: voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "What then?" companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "There is the writing." less than 26s. 4d. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. directly by questioning you." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." point in the dark hollow of his hand. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Yes." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking chambers. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to views." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small know what is wrong with it.' the coroner come to?" You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "You think that he is dead?" I shall communicate with you." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once,