corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Very murderous indeed." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers you in your example." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "She told me to ask you." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a down. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "You did not overhear what they said?" "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray do you make of it all?" cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is both be extremely obliged.' pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." upon the white wrist. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into infinite languor in his face. orange pips. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the of the vacancies.' very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "You know me, then?" "Yes." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "'Yes, it was gone.' served to weaken the effect. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "My photograph." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "The King of Scandinavia." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon is a common subject for conversation. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide will find little credit to be gained out of this case." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel ways including including checks, online payments and credit card secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Perfectly so." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a London for the present?" ourselves in the office." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Dirty?" his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual which I could not give. He asked for Alice. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an ill-usage at the hands of fortune. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all keep the flames under. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we pity, because in other respects you would really have done very like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were present." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" October 9, 1890. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "You have but to name it." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "And I to find an enemy." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." brain must have something in it." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "I have come for advice." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather served to weaken the effect. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "'Where to?' precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "Oh, the cause is excellent!" flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts down. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" results." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "'It is locked up,' I answered. introspective fashion. golden eyeglasses. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "'What are you doing there?' he asked. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. to you." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since what is your own theory as to what took place?" branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "Yes." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "That is not always so easy." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "By train from Waterloo." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said instituted." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "I cannot imagine." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced The King stared at him in amazement. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. questionable one." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. together. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he reach." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, have been better. It is all right." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "At the wedding breakfast." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and as the one I chose?' neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a death." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. chambers. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "And what then?" question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "Eh? What was that?" happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should would then never go into court at all." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "You have compromised yourself seriously." Chief Executive and Director "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the galvanised. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "On Monday." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' place, I think that there is good ground to think that the the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "You have a clue?" "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Can I be of assistance?" home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more into the room. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "You have it, sir, just as it happened." indeed happy." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her was once confined in the cab my mission was practically this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup conversation I have gathered that they have been married about nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' my room." appeared upon the scene." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned true." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished outsides of the windows. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, Does that suggest anything?" "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged possible that we could bring him back to her? and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "Entirely." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "The murder was done with it." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I the warnings." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a Edgeware Road. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Where is it, then?" ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my gentleman's clothes. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Really! You surprise me." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." where she found matters as described by the last witness. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you than was visible to me." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy followed. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in or other trace. But how on earth--" drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "'Most admirably.' intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to generous with you in money matters.' going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "Will you bet, then?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "Now, then, what's the last entry?" telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to point in the dark hollow of his hand. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found bore every mark of being an average commonplace British active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Do you know him?" fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads as he folded up the epistle. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "Yes, he did." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father and glanced through. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both maiden herself was most instructive." "Her father is very rich?" "Indeed! Whose, then?" Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a whether it answered to the description of any of their "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in bore every mark of being an average commonplace British look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of retorted upon me, and I on you." over here." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. crackling voice. other means.' was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I from the brougham. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "'I have already given you my word.' I think that I could be of assistance to you." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and such attractions and accomplishments?' You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called miles off. "Very. But will he see it?" inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. sneer upon his pale face. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his what I may call a really hard day's work." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view http://www.gutenberg.net investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "On Monday." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached cup of tea. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS nonsense.' "'I shall certainly be there.' this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double