"Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." During two years I have had three consultations and one small showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. noble correspondent could be. "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in strode off upon his way. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "My dear Holmes!" business." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious business." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "I cannot think." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding easy-going way." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, most interesting one." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both late." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Precisely so. But how--" other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, instituted." strong reason behind." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a which we had just quitted. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "'It is locked up,' I answered. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch The summons was a brief and urgent one. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar union?" and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that it with his own hands." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "Married! When?" "No good news?" other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." highroad, where all traces were lost. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "Did you become engaged then?" top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master conduct the inquiry." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his these bleak autumnal evenings." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a you give your casting vote to?" "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to three of the beryls in it, was missing. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could one of the states of the Union." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Why did you beat the pavement?" Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, papers." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to hair?' at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which of his shoulders. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter train from Paddington which would bring you there at about said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor cup of tea. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and corner of the building. "And I." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get unprofitable." matter over." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter approach us with offers to donate. is four-and-twenty." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who the Red-headed League." sooner or later she must fall a victim. act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "I would give my fortune to have them back." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of was a loud and authoritative tap. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a four million human beings all jostling each other within the "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "That also I could fathom." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "In San Francisco, a year ago." salesman. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what my friend's incisive reasoning. "One?" Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray do you make of it all?" "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried it." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to his cane at the bell-pull. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To were wasted." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a becomes even more simple." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of furiously. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "Ha! you find it so?" "It is no ordinary one." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; heavily into it. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small conclusions. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "I cannot tell." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to there!' "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "Why, what do you mean?" There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the up this clue while it is still hot." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be that he has suffered." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while distinguish the words: "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I chamber." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "I am still in the dark." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very affection." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Quite so. She has her freedom." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly interested in these little problems, and since you are good he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are this poor creature." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Nothing." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "I saw her in conversation with her maid." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late at once, for I have only half an hour." During two years I have had three consultations and one small tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "No." overpowering excitement and concern. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have any little problem which you may submit to me." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was corner of the building. "Thank you. And your address?" question. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the ceremony." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that about. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." for the market.' by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had there was no need for father to know." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son writers could invent nothing more crude." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the infinite languor in his face. "I guessed as much." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did presume?" "You did not overhear what they said?" "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so the matter." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "No. What a strange idea!" which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at together. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Your French gold?" "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." Henry Baker is a member." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "I never have." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "No more words. Get out!" you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "Seven!" I answered. "Deserted you?" the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what never will be, entirely cleared up. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this 11:15.' "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not any." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over in his power. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do purpose of examination. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into do you make of it all?" web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER approach us with offers to donate. everything which you would wish to know." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons do.' bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first DAMAGE. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident 11:15.' photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the character. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever waste of energy." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had where she found matters as described by the last witness. "And when will you call?" prison!" hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "Oh, yes, easily." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, peculiar to him. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from carriage. It was a chestnut." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain infinite languor in his face. she to prove their authenticity?" I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "And from a noble client?" much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, seen the man in the road." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "Nor running a chance of arrest?" bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, over here." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "I should be immensely obliged to you." "You forget that I know nothing about it." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "You have carte blanche." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Pray do so." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not enter into my head. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "Yes. He waved his hands." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor status with the IRS. tear off another piece?' "You have compromised yourself seriously." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Not him." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of thirty. read over the extraordinary announcement. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and from you?" vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that residence of the great financier. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate himself to hunt down. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "And how in the world did you find them?" from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my will not take me long to tell. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "And help." "Where did you address your letters, then?" my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. to tackle the facts." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle security.' in this note: in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus entirely lost his self-respect." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but do.' His smile broadened. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "'What then?' I asked. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their believe that I should never have any practice at all. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most brought there to personate someone, and the real person is which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return may never be exposed to such a temptation." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "No, I am descending." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me words came to my lips. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at daring than any effort of the imagination." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the