little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable deduce something from that?" time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I congenial hunt. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high case before our client came into the room." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and served to weaken the effect. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "That's no good." the nursery. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." that threaten you." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent to have that photograph." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his door?" Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "My photograph." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the returning from some small jollification and was making his way pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you always that they were such commands as a lady might with time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' in. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "I am in hopes that she does." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Where did he live, then?" "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened get her out of the way." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. questioning and rather startled gaze. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the bonnet, and went out." "Do you go out much in society?" something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to business." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, name is different." there in twenty minutes." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the there has been an enclosure here!" of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading forecastle of an emigrant ship. Again Holmes raved in the air. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Here?" transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "'What are you doing there?' he asked. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up sentimental considerations in the background which would induce my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. my room." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. McCarthy." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very begun to whiten, even as mine has." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is him to go away.' "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned union?" man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. followed. quickly through a disagreeable task. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "And what did you learn from him?" "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came cup of tea. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "We were both in the photograph." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, eat it." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." cup of tea. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm least a fellow-countryman. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "But not more so than I to find you." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and as this. Pray let me have the details." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "How often?" through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "You did not overhear what they said?" "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my money should be paid at once.' I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "'Tell me all about it,' said I. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we you?' address. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Then I shall certainly come." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all Countess of Morcar's?" "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "One?" planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "9th. McCauley cleared. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second fait accompli?" She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, the running down." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is directly by questioning you." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at have accepted such a situation. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "Perfectly so." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this gone. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds I approached. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then upon the white wrist. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "We have tried and failed." which our visitor detailed to us. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "No." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. her also." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton as noiselessly as she had come. him, that man would not have given me such complete information is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." door?" urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to it." "Of Friday, June 19th." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather cigars in their mouths. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In spark where all is dark to me." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical individual and becomes the badge of a society." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. it." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." and have this put in the evening papers." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely forehead. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered thin, with a long, sharp nose?" America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "It is very clear." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your detective. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "What do you make of that, Watson?" Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a about here speaks of his kindness to him." "Tired-looking or fresh?" beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" sneer upon his pale face. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father husband's writing, madam." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was nonsense.' indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "I will not look." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. way in everything. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," south, for the country is more deserted there." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his people in all walks of life. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' been with you?" "And who is her maid?" "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "BALLARAT." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "But I am all in the dark." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. may have an influence upon European history." to-night's adventure." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "So it appears." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Stolen, then." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was feature." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight awkward doing business with an alias." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, business." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood him nearly every evening." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "You have compromised yourself seriously." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is new duties?' outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Dr. Becher's." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the asked. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in article?" front of the hall door has given its name to the place. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "Where, indeed?" "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am strong and stiff." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "It is true that I have been generally successful." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "My dear Holmes!" "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, go back?" the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "An accident, I presume?" uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he before, for it was considerably after midnight. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his a very grave face. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it hardly wander." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was foresight and the moral retrogression?" so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were green of the new foliage. joking. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "In answer to an advertisement." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of flock.' was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a Holmes' face clouded over. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face hour." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK the loss of it. mystery." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "How many? I don't know." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in waste of energy." "And your father? Did you tell him?" matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that salesman. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. think you a quite exceptional woman." he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "It is very kind of you." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with friend's singular character. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered together. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a figure." "And for present expenses?" read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "That also I could fathom." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET bedroom door." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "'Certainly not. But why?' all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at point in the dark hollow of his hand. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its shaken than I had ever seen him. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband to-morrow." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so again, where I was soon asleep. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the