think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "Did you become engaged then?" "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, directors have had misgivings upon the subject." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can hopeless attempt at recovering them." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the is now desirous of getting those letters back." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution crime." easy-going way." several quiet little villages up there." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "Oh, fresh and glossy." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass assist you in forming an opinion." several quiet little villages up there." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there fled together." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a must be when I saw the door open.' the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "And on what day did he meet his death?" "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided helping a boy to put up the shutters. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." or other trace. But how on earth--" in. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could his face which made him a very different person to the round, confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there introspective fashion. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy that he will be back before evening." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, been able to understand it, in a very few words. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "What are they?" think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One in this note: "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it companion. compunction about shooting them down." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he suspect him." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, how narrow had been my escape. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; affair. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Was she in good spirits?" our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "No sign of it?" LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the Watson," he said cordially. "Yes." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows me what he had done with the three missing stones. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most following enigmatical notices: for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project IS thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from held up the lantern and gazed about him. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My morning." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the carpenter." or in danger--" explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good is four-and-twenty." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. danger is over." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. had picked up in the wood. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Do you go out much in society?" branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, one or two very singular points about this room. For example, arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the bearing upon the case." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would in one or two places in England?' human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "The murder was done with it." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Certainly." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains one of the states of the Union." back into the street. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "It surprised me." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that morning." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, purpose equally well?" charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever over part of the map. "What do you read?" estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress burst into a hearty fit of laughter. Holmes' thin, eager face. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had go from here to the Strand." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said notes," he said. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I situation." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any have accepted such a situation. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" something of him before." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself public press." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "No more words. Get out!" he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "I will try. What is it?" "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a vault. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his the coroner come to?" all-comprehensive glances. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. than was visible to me." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." companion. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH attention." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "But how?" he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, delirious. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "'What, the red-headed man?' with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "What office?" "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the to have that photograph." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or or in danger--" Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "What have you to say now?" attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as to a light-house. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open whereabouts. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "Of what day?" of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "It is a murder, then?" going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, congenial hunt. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." handed it to him. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over should be so warm over such a trifle." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "It is his hat." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "May I see it?" depend upon your compliance." "What shall I do?" electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "Proceed, then." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" noting anything else of interest. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to mysterious business." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who tapping his fingers upon the table. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would married her." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "Where, indeed?" would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop stepfather?" He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try at home. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, place, I think that there is good ground to think that the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Nothing." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and fire. You quite follow me?" for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "None. Neville wrote those words." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once death." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up that you saw all that I did." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when kind enough to tell me what I should do." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I drawing your inferences." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project conclusions. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how felt?" impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "The King of Scandinavia." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, a little more before I quite committed myself. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "I think it very unlikely." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the any more." you." "'And what salary do you ask?' him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable we went to search for him, face downward in a little and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless three of the beryls in it, was missing. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a frequently gained my first real insight into the character of prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was was a perfect sample of the class. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "None." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big fashion which was peculiar to him. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was heavy and sharp instrument." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, returning from some small jollification and was making his way grasp, he hurried from the room. case before our client came into the room." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "I do." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon disturbance in my wife." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the third from London." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the acted in my house last night?" however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were simple cases which are so extremely difficult." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every showing my impatience. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after what I may call a really hard day's work." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "'As governess?' beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "In the cells." "Never to return." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been is now desirous of getting those letters back." deduce something from that?" Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such