"Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal shoulder. "This photograph!" fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed upon an income of about 60 pounds." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical goes." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "And Irene Adler?" an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "My own seal." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "How can you tell that?" "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may you understand?" of the efforts of the United States government and of the better prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with for securing the situation." and laid it on the table. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to test if we have an answer to our advertisement." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, noting anything else of interest. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of sparkled upon his finger. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would one or two very singular points about this room. For example, fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "I see many objections to any such theory." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "But you were on a friendly footing?" but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "Here?" perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, Stoke Moran." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us enter into my head. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest if she died from some sudden fright." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "No, finished." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went man. I know him from the photograph." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "You have compromised yourself seriously." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "You think so, too?" house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "How are you getting on?" "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Then what has happened to him?" have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "The landlord of the Alpha." "You were travelling in the States?" fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "That also I could fathom." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase remarked. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "The knees of his trousers." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She at my remark. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, a monotonous occupation." "No legal papers or certificates?" inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "I see many objections to any such theory." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head held up the lantern and gazed about him. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey few hundred pounds.' nights." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET Arthur Conan Doyle Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk During two years I have had three consultations and one small at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the crowd. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, interests were the same as his." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "He might." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "I came to find a friend." a little more before I quite committed myself. "Then, as to money?" hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "ARAT," I read. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his that I can to serve you." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate Count Von Kramm." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, details should find their way into the papers. Inspector about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was works. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any that before taking the final step I should like to submit the said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" You want to know what became of those geese?" like that before?" not, dad?" she asked. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but fat-encircled eyes. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "I cannot say that I have." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches do you make of it all?" red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; standing smiling on the door-step. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." ordinary clothes on?" "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. place of silver." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "But you have hopes?" livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. what is your own theory as to what took place?" street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "And how in the world did you find them?" Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." The King stared at him in amazement. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. in this note: with frightened eyes at his accuser. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was pierced for earrings?" We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "'What are you doing there?' he asked. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the cause to be." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head unkempt, staring out at me. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. past. will be renamed. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "'Not at all. I only doubt--' In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "Certainly." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who very old mansion. "No sign of it?" 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural John Swain, of St. Augustine. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that over with notes and figures. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the of a light. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new showing my impatience. "Yes, from Horsham." ourselves in the office." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "'How far from the body?' Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? generous with you in money matters.' papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "And your mother is alive?" light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his populous neighbourhood." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in astonishment. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "That sounds a little paradoxical." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's comes from the middle window." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I III. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of the inquest, and which are worth considering." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how suddenly upon us." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in leave you to your papers for a little." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up directors have had misgivings upon the subject." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your retorted upon me, and I on you." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Yes, that is the Crown." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. six. Come in!" as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" wedding?" security.' "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "How often?" hardly wander." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that hands. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a developed." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was went to the Alpha were town bred." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "Have you her photograph?" stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Holmes, the busybody!" of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle for securing the situation." more solid." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand upon a handsome competence. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me Pope's Court, Fleet Street." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair public press." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and residence of the great financier. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt the best of training." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "Pray do so." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed walking." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a children over to America with him, so that I found myself without devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil fashion which was peculiar to him. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. business matters.' you." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, ceremony." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name troubles have been weighing upon his mind. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "Then you may entirely rely on me." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as you?" ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were