"I am in hopes that she does." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the the station." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage name is different." companion imperturbably. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my carpenter." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which see a sister of mine apply for." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "How do you know, then?" and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Perhaps we may make them less so." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "I have hopes." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the morning." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "When did she vanish, then?" "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "What! a murderous attack?" "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "When did she vanish, then?" XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen of his shoulders. hour." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, humiliation." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared call the police, let the police find what they can.' no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I conceal it?" make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Entirely." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I read it out to me." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "I should be immensely obliged to you." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "What have you to say now?" probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in question you as to those details which seem to me to be most which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the chance." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must hand, madam?" "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a bears upon the case?" keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the and all of them with the keenest interest. lost his Christmas dinner." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with enter into my head. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for helping a boy to put up the shutters. speckled band?" coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. read it out to me." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "Ah, but I was recommended to you." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." became a certainty. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "'I have already given you my word.' Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey absolutely follow my advice in every respect." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." occupations.' "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." may never be exposed to such a temptation." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "What have you to say now?" can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Yes, only one." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "Never." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his danger is over." his knees, staring into the fire. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune American. Then who could this American be, and why should he married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "'Why that?' I asks. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "And sit in the dark?" sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Certainly, madam." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. fashion which was peculiar to him. October 9, 1890. Surrey." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey companion. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather had no one to advise her at such a crisis." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "I cannot say that I have." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "To an end?" "Only as much as we can deduce." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, my little problems." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what said I. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so to tackle the facts." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to outside. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "But how?" parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our south, for the country is more deserted there." observed. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. tail." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "You have but to name it." "'Most admirably.' of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining triumphant cloud from his cigarette. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no are, and they are waiting for us." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest II. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial the coronet in his hands?" "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day Holmes' face clouded over. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how had died away into the silence from which it rose. confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "But how?" "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "I know where it is." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something think that he is innocent?" her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my been." dates and names. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask ashen face. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a or in danger--" Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "And it is--" where Mr. Fordham shows you.' quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered golden eyeglasses. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Yesterday." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was plantation.' the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "I answered that I had not. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "VIOLET HUNTER." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his you do it in twenty minutes!' Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. but preventing her from injuring another. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "So I am. Very much so." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "Certainly." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." woven round him. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." do." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of stepfather?" exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for wedding?" sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to which are rolled in Rotterdam." you do it in twenty minutes!' think that any burglar could have done. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had It was close upon four before the door opened, and a swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "The murder was done with it." the stones. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate and inquire as to the address." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to Again Holmes raved in the air. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money minor matters until to-morrow." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "I don't say that. Perhaps." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost trying to your nerves." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have showing my impatience. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "Dirty?" play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to existence." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed brandy and water within his reach. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is his fortune, and I went back to pa. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up some place of shelter and let the county police know what has the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to Clair, of Lee." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." happened." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some so.' day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, delirious. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "He is still with you, I presume?" be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "How many? I don't know." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "And did you observe any change in her then?" with frightened eyes at his accuser. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "So I am. Very much so." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and true." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a any more." "Here?" completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable individual and becomes the badge of a society." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or I have it here in my museum." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, unkempt, staring out at me. security.' "And I." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his that Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?"