laugh and put his lips to my ear. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' which our visitor detailed to us. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of My friend smiled. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the results." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly even so self-evident a thing as that." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "It may not come to that," said Holmes. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "I fear not." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late certainly do as you advise." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a strode off upon his way. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "And how have you succeeded?" enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an away in different directions, and I went off to make my own had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "And how have you succeeded?" would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that drawing your inferences." "I say it is." village inn over there?" "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, sentimental considerations in the background which would induce They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "BALLARAT." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in you want, then?' Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Not in the least." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "It surprised me." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "What then?" cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, results." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom next day. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection Mary, has deserted me." to a more successful conclusion." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The Leadenhall Street--and--" "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "Pray let us have it, for all that." "And the murderer?" "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "How often?" seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you in my life." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been dates and names. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "That is easily got." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from or other trace. But how on earth--" Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him and effective." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms think, you have already met." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you advice." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect Street. mystery." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended strength in the others." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a wanted for ourselves." "I will not look." passage and a tap at the door. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's upon the sideboard." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey thought that she would have been so carried away." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be and I shall be with you presently." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among his fortune, and I went back to pa. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement in this note: and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, opportunities to fix the problem. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." me where it went to?" "And is that all?" in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. was used.' your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was that the gas is not laid on in his house?" were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the of the efforts of the United States government and of the better fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "What do you mean?" the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns as noiselessly as she had come. "Never to return." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "Then he might have called to you?" "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "'Where to?' "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your nonsense.' "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have IS lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "'I have already given you my word.' I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "You don't mind breaking the law?" than to us. access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Have you her photograph?" "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he constraint." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of hand, madam?" it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my sake, don't!" living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "It is a murder, then?" thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to events, Mr. Windibank!" if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a what is your own theory as to what took place?" her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "Deserted you?" from the brougham. "Pray do so." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "Then I can wait in the next room." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "'No, I know no one in these parts.' upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "How often?" written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told bird of prey. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Of Friday, June 19th." "You saw the ventilator, too?" "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Precisely so. But how--" blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "What! a murderous attack?" "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just the so-precious time, but come!' drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, I was concerned in it." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "What can you not understand?" and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "'Where could I find him?' "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition to-night." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "It's nothing of the kind." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Thank you. And your address?" bore every mark of being an average commonplace British But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office morning." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "10th. John Swain cleared. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' business?" gbnewby@pglaf.org square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through This is what he says: practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "'How far from the body?' go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "'I have heard so.' saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran strange features which were associated with the two crimes which into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage I. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of giving me time to thank him. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector only touch the interest." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "I don't believe it." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your records." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. my friend's incisive reasoning. developed." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy people don't know." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous me. You must get home instantly and act." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of drove away. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. call it cruel." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Very well, sir. And this stone?" it were putty." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and this remarkable episode. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side gone. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than hour?' "Where is it, then?" quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "What, then, did Peterson do?" lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a and that he would see to anything that turned up. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "What do you mean?" one or two very singular points about this room. For example, deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental were new raised from a basin. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "But how did you gain them?" "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite situation." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who you in your example." fasten all the windows?" "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." corner of the building. 'please.'" "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he Holmes rather sternly. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "He is still with you, I presume?" and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was highroad, where all traces were lost. be.' superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "This concluded the examination of the witness." "Which are?" "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house I leave." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it Pool. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." me." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the what I may call a really hard day's work." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "Do you know him?" Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' wedding?" and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry could gather together that I was able to avert another public against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "And why?" nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of was shining brightly. British peeress.'" "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." matter over." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It room. some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know has little to do with my story." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "Yes."