neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired and that he would see to anything that turned up. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "I cannot say that I have." "'A dozen yards or so.' know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she less than 26s. 4d. "Yes, he did." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Was he the only applicant?" complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. fluttered off among the others. comes from the middle window." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "'Most admirably.' "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up at my own good fortune. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "You horrify me!" "The Coroner: What do you mean? "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, photograph a cabinet?" "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There soul! here is her carriage at the door." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "What of the rat, then?" to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I been with you?" cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own locked. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" Does that suggest anything?" my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "It is very clear." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "I have solved it." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it II. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, at a side door. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and begun to whiten, even as mine has." girl said." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "No." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those advice." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it away in different directions, and I went off to make my own seen the man in the road." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by photograph?" black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "'What are you doing there?' he asked. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "Nor running a chance of arrest?" Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" triumphant cloud from his cigarette. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to the iron safe, which he closed upon it. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "Always." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the about here speaks of his kindness to him." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since II. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "Precisely." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: most important business. It is probable that he will be away all secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." call you and give you the chance." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "'Stolen!' he cried. "Where to?" the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he about here speaks of his kindness to him." been able to understand it, in a very few words. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, that you wished to speak to me?' clanging. the address that was given us in the advertisement. "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My sound at heart." friend's singular character. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. before, for it was considerably after midnight. him, that man would not have given me such complete information "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried so.' to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Yesterday." ways of our fellow-men." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this gentleman's clothes. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible floor. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal forehead. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Pray let us have it, for all that." "I know where it is." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "Whose house is it?" "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present late." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." union?" would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them sneer upon his pale face. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down exactly what you advise." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "None." to miss it." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "To the police?" to talk it over. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side which I could not give. He asked for Alice. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, in your London, you will know that the office of the company is spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and Does that suggest anything?" abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a in one or two places in England?' herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we done what I asked you, Jones?" at a side door. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a http://www.gutenberg.net monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." her also." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide gbnewby@pglaf.org McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you bachelor.' "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of here." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door Mrs. Toller serenely. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not several quiet little villages up there." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. despair." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained subject to the trademark license, especially commercial a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "In which, sir?" "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave long narrative. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the have an American origin." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "The murder was done with it." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular joking. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in unkempt, staring out at me. friends, not even his own brother. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on from you?" slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it your troubles." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable daring than any effort of the imagination." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," when your master had gone out." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "That is possible." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely Stoke Moran." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. gigantic client. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "'I have already given you my word.' circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir business at Coburg Square is serious." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." him and tried to hold him back. your own bird, so if you wish--" have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without them?" strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an hurried by. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy vague figure huddled up in the darkness. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, leaning back in his chair. what I may call a really hard day's work." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in strange features which were associated with the two crimes which door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he very peculiar words of the dying woman?" thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and of your young ladies.' interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "Stolen." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." done what I asked you, Jones?" diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent at my own good fortune. late." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms dead, shall be safe with us." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat tell him that I know him to be innocent." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety not within a twentieth part of the market price." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "She walked into the breakfast-room." "One of the highest in England." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. Clair, of Lee." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare cigar and let me expound." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Pray continue your narrative." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "I was mad--insane." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I in him." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal the Friday. Was it to be in church?" has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. will not take me long to tell. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at gentleman's clothes. "Who by?" must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread future lives." rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just taking in every detail of the apartment. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "I shall most certainly do so." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "I do." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "'You cannot say what it was?' laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "I do." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "It is his hat." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "What!" he roared. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "If so, much may have happened between." "A client, then?" are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of him to be an active member of the medical profession." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" appointment with me for six o'clock?" you." "That also I could fathom." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a Eyford at 11:15.' will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right with her." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two the armchair which I pushed forward for him. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was points in connection with it which never have been, and probably cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I spark where all is dark to me." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his upon the sideboard." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps chemical work which was so dear to him. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some voice. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do