"I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how key turn in the lock." tell him that I know him to be innocent." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at could not have written that. It is the German who is so and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was the best of training." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "'Where to?' outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, politicians who had been sent down from the North. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California to-night." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man directors have had misgivings upon the subject." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My away to you." national property. I was determined that the law should have its Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to you." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very memory. amused." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' only touch the interest." Sholtos." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the fasten all the windows?" with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. hardly wander." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what Clair, of Lee." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to carriage. It was a chestnut." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a it." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "And how?" knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on What do you deduce from it?" "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "Who was the criminal, then?" late." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a know what is wrong with it.' "I have seen the police." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, indeed happy." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of more solid." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief manager. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "You will not go there first?" the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. she might be summoned. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she not within a twentieth part of the market price." place of silver." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "That sounds a little paradoxical." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. to his chemical studies. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in conduct the inquiry." to-night?' Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything I leave." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able God! What an exposure! What can I do?" had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded to arrive at through this?" "I have come for advice." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into from the brougham. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Where to?" once more for Briony Lodge. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a some mystery and the punishment of some crime." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more in one or two places in England?' abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those gone. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an matter." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, His name is Francis Prosper." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt From what you have told me I think that it is possible that they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do written, and locked the door of the office after me. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "10th. John Swain cleared. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin with her." "Of what?" the coronet in his hands?" One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can foresight and the moral retrogression?" worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped back into the street. The events in question occurred in the early days of my her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "Married! When?" loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic your Highness to the police-station?" the coronet at all injured?" "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "The best possible." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" my former friend and companion. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus power." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "On Monday." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself if I call to-morrow?" examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my little adventures." (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its lamp. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I eavesdroppers?' at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "He said too much." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the that I am arrested." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he a good hundred miles off by now." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Yes." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was posted to-day." "He slept on the premises." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle delirious. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my returning from some small jollification and was making his way looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Ample." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that some place of shelter and let the county police know what has passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned during the last few years, and there are many noble families to events, Mr. Windibank!" is so. I know all about McCarthy." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; stood on the top of it. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What amused." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Thank you. Pray proceed." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and The events in question occurred in the early days of my of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest McCarthy's innocence. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "I answered that I had not. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide skylight. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." never will be, entirely cleared up. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Very. But will he see it?" key of the affair now." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. mystery may be cleared along those lines." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant ways of our fellow-men." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. not as remarkable as your advertisement." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "Yes." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO soul! here is her carriage at the door." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his that I can to serve you." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the there was no need for father to know." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "And you don't know his address?" "Nearly eleven." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his the side-table." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined down from London to inquire more deeply into it." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." you." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that case-book, which he consulted. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what your most interesting statement." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed John Swain, of St. Augustine. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel most important business. It is probable that he will be away all so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he felt?" really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "That is also quite modern," said the lady. chance at all." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of on re-entering her father's house?" had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always photograph a cabinet?" ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his imbecility!" he cried. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, business in the City. She little knew what. just ask you whether you had heard it.' still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." do." your Highness to the police-station?" as yours." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. signal between you and your father? "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "'About the same.' governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." lips." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "Never." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a deduce something from that?" out." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from sofa. This way, please!" "He disappeared so suddenly." "No." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left train.' confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently the Red-headed League." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Very much so." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a