the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." the little opening for the ventilator is." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "'Is 4 pounds a week.' about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt you?' opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for the bed, and you in that chair." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of companion imperturbably. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "I say it is." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "And I say east," said my patient. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There next day. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Was there a secret marriage?" memory. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is detained." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "My last client of the sort was a king." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case the one as in the other." waste of energy." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has are, I think, all that we need." "I say it is." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover carriage. It was a chestnut." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' to miss it." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "That's no good." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to John Swain, of St. Augustine. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "Where, then, is my wife?" "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming populous neighbourhood." "Eh? What was that?" last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Yes, he did." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have some water from a caraffe. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and upon the shelf for the interim." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the for the market.' remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "Not yet." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "'Yes.' "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "Your French gold?" garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, meant." "No, I had a dozen." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's enter Dr. Roylott's room." "I think it very unlikely." "You have the photograph?" case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "I cannot say that I have." "Whose house is it?" recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that seem to you to be relevant or not." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Where did he live, then?" hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first of." until night should bring an explanation. breakfast?" "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I and the church but not where the lady lived." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own your own bird, so if you wish--" "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you she might be summoned. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, be. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the that he has suffered." one's self under obligations.' approach us with offers to donate. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to disappearance of the bride.'" paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "'Where to?' then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and him." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "I will, Miss Turner." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the hardly wander." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent train from Paddington which would bring you there at about importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, skylight. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Yes." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else overpowering excitement and concern. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of in. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts mystery!" concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon heavy and sharp instrument." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, Again Holmes raved in the air. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban to his chemical studies. death." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been garden below. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Stoke Moran?" said he. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had call it cruel." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "What office?" have got?" tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "Stolen, then." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "But she could not love him." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of morning." it." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was your own bird, so if you wish--" dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "But your client--" after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and them?" infinite languor in his face. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to and the whole place is in a blaze." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that James Windibank. Voilà tout!" madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to used to be." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "This photograph!" Mary, has deserted me." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, said he. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her future lives." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "I am to be neutral?" "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the upon an income of about 60 pounds." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the Farm upon the left." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy breakfast?" enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort green of the new foliage. residence of the great financier. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among cost them two and thirty pounds." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me there!' Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage a very grave face. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable as he folded up the epistle. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. Street. eat it." charged with?" was used.' "'Tell me all about it,' said I. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof over part of the map. "What do you read?" regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," to his chemical studies. nice household for a young lady." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." in the dead of the night?' it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "It is very kind of you." him and tried to hold him back. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "That also I could fathom." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Yes, certainly." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "It came here." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "By no means." "And how?" are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "I say that I have solved it." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "How about poison?" shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. directors, with the result that you have seen." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what do you make of it all?" attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child side. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP newspaper selections." entirely devoid of interest." name is different." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Will you go?" "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had assist you in forming an opinion." "And help." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still records." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "It came here." became a certainty. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" never to learn it at all." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case not as remarkable as your advertisement." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my and wait." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.'