"Stolen." dramatic, in fact." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "'What then?' I asked. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in hair?' "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his digesting their breakfasts at home." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Yes, it was twisted." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to there was no need for father to know." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "I am sure." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. your sleep?' "At the wedding breakfast." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence have established a very serious case against the son of the Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Pray let us have it, for all that." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their Leadenhall Street--and--" "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' that, and I came down." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & room had already been engaged for us. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had once more for Briony Lodge. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "Proceed, then." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "We have tried and failed." "You horrify me." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does to have that photograph." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "I have solved it." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "No bad?" of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "'Where could I find him?' exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "But it has twice been burgled." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and already been minutely examined." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his could not have written that. It is the German who is so narrative." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for closely." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "He slept on the premises." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "How can you tell that?" I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our Chief Executive and Director I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and and files of the old papers, following the future career of every when your master had gone out." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of indiscretion." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a the so-precious time, but come!' address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' beg that you will break it off." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, and laid it on the table. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This to some other building. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is in this way: exactly what you advise." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was remarked. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the introspective fashion. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I your troubles." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so until night should bring an explanation. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "The gentleman I describe." help us in this matter." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with less than 26s. 4d. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. with frightened eyes at his accuser. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was perplexity from it to my illustrious client. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I residence of the great financier. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he showing my impatience. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "He said too much." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again sake, don't!" of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and over with notes and figures. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my happened." "Where, indeed?" on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on For additional contact information: possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of this Miss Turner." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he a very grave face. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, pity, because in other respects you would really have done very computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. golden eyeglasses. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my has little to do with my story." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "'Yes, I promise.' Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "That you are never beaten." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "It's nothing of the kind." "Your presence might be invaluable." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand have one." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few light and attacked it." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "What of the rat, then?" case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "By all means." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a a suggestive one." trifles." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to purpose of examination. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, said he at last. "No, I had a dozen." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, Dr. Gregory B. Newby her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us hour?' "What shall I do?" "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though to arrive at through this?" he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "In which, sir?" "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "It is to him that this trophy belongs." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, least a most suspicious remark." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of case before our client came into the room." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his he died? had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Yes." carpenter." tell me that you intended to go into harness." seven miles from Eyford Station.' "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. ways of our fellow-men." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning completely overtopped every other consideration that we both and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." events than those which have happened in my own family." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us bedroom door." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the never came back." you, my dear young lady?' envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." to-night's adventure." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish your own bird, so if you wish--" was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Ah!" arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "You were travelling in the States?" as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A the house with me." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of anything to a woman, for she would have her way." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds be there in time for your coming." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "No." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but your billet.' weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's the bottom.' beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "I cannot tell." served to weaken the effect. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down delighted to hear it," he said. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "No, but the enclosure is." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection late." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window have accepted such a situation. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she door?" Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant not within a twentieth part of the market price." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the you, my dear young lady?' black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear matter over." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "Her father is very rich?" developed." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key a monotonous occupation." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." beyond words. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, have been better. It is all right." started for the Temple to see my husband. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents carriage. It was a chestnut." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put tell him that I know him to be innocent." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "One of the highest in England." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'As governess?' upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. call it cruel." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that it right.' fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep existence." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been John Swain, of St. Augustine. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. cause to be." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "None." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. away to you." "Eh? What was that?" "It is his hat." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Murdered?" "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this feature." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "'Certainly not. But why?' black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "'In my own bureau.' house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every power." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." in a friendly supper." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "He slept on the premises." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings in the dead of the night?' India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you purpose equally well?" Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." 1.F. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "What office?" home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "She will not sell." them?" Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. 1.F. and inquire as to the address." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' distinguish the words: off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am whole matter to your consideration." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "'I have heard so.' stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was address. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Quite so." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an excitement. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a Mary, has deserted me." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Nearly eleven." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were