presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was could gather together that I was able to avert another public "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." them present such singular features as the strange train of "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he against a man in the prime of life?" he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable of it with the greatest attention. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the entirely devoid of interest." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "I would pay ten." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Who was the criminal, then?" begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "Yes." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Where is it, then?" little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the entirely devoid of interest." himself to tell his story. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that gone before you can get him to hospital." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and late!' his wife has ceased to love him." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "That was it, sir." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a cigar and let me expound." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "You saw the ventilator, too?" derbies." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but my secret was safe in his possession. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes the little opening for the ventilator is." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." gone. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers chair. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and lost nothing by them." your sleep?' description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" has little to do with my story." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he up this clue while it is still hot." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is the stones. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "It is very clear." "'Why that?' I asks. me." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "And is that all?" in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "I cannot as yet see any connection." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a business matters.' air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "My photograph." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "He is dead," cried several voices. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Yes." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be annoyance, but no jest. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, the window, rose as we entered. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Then you may entirely rely on me." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 James Windibank. Voilà tout!" concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "I cannot imagine." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "I was sure that I might rely on you." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place redistribution. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out look upon these things in a different way." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I bled considerably." the coronet in his hands?" lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "I cannot tell." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss chemical work which was so dear to him. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "Not yet." "This photograph!" could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass helping a boy to put up the shutters. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like once more on the important position which you have been fortunate What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "You are all wrong." followed. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of friend's singular character. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "And why?" At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we place, I think that there is good ground to think that the End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Then the page we have seen--" common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all is acting for the best. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her horse could go." "He is still with you, I presume?" knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If without success. At last the little money which I had saved began and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last you?' "Of what day?" his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only said I. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in front of me. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand man. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "Did you observe the colour?" "Quite so. She has her freedom." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on or in danger--" Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the the best of training." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though I was concerned in it." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to until night should bring an explanation. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. about here speaks of his kindness to him." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in I nodded again. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Witness: It was. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting instincts rose up against that laugh. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "That is it on the dressing-table." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more delirious. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "'Most admirably.' "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since I nodded again. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler You can understand that this register and diary may implicate stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "I guessed as much." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. one of the states of the Union." "To an English lawyer named Norton." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Yes." "And how did you verify them?" would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the correct than the official force." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to orange pips. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "Certainly." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' sit on the left-hand side of the driver." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "I promise," said Holmes. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's me, and I could not think that his explanation of the it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" allusion to a rat. himself to hunt down. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "Very truly yours, let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "And who is her maid?" my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "She showed me, as I told you she would." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which Have you good authority for what you say?" "We were both in the photograph." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing eat it." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "Who was the criminal, then?" did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "It is possible." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really fishes. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "And you don't know his address?" is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened forecastle of an emigrant ship. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his asked. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "Then I can wait in the next room." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood one or two very singular points about this room. For example, he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after go from here to the Strand." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "And Irene Adler?" "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there my room." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "And how did you find out?" 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both was feeling which was the fattest.' way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see residence of the great financier. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us discontent upon his features. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small fluttered off among the others. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that goes." back to my heart. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised upon the white wrist. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "We must sit without light. He would see it through the beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, the south-west, I see." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "Stoke Moran?" said he. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the here and I will read it to you: "I should be immensely obliged to you." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. for and were ordered to this address. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "I would give my fortune to have them back." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' sake, don't!" submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in next day. "And leave your case unfinished?" fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "Entirely." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with matter over." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum unclasping of his long thin hands. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness License. You must require such a user to return or among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "What I expected to see." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "It certainly sounds feasible." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles the devil!" "Precisely." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "I will not look." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from me. how narrow had been my escape. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Certainly." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He not use it unless it is absolutely needed." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is I took the paper from him and read as follows: may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It