not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be key of the affair now." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of to me. and all of them with the keenest interest. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "Was there a secret marriage?" "On the contrary, this is the right side." "When did it break out?" "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "None." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a outsides of the windows. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must been lifted and conveyed somewhere." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On furiously. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in suddenly upon us." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a there." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "But how?" are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is fat-encircled eyes. "How did you deduce the select?" congratulate you again." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "And why?" I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with shag which I had seen upon the previous night. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical for securing the situation." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened the running down." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "Ample." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "But how?" daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, something of him before." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger the best of training." returned to France?" was a loud and authoritative tap. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are the Friday. Was it to be in church?" forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from tightly behind him. client, rising. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Stolen." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with light and attacked it." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "'Stolen!' he cried. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Then you may entirely rely on me." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "I will try. What is it?" employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There point our research must commence, and we will begin it by gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in you understand?" "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "My dear Holmes!" "I don't say that. Perhaps." quickly through a disagreeable task. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. do you make of it all?" "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the eavesdroppers?' "Where to?" unkempt, staring out at me. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Really! You surprise me." humiliation." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention again on its way. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. appeared upon the scene." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go became a certainty. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a Count Von Kramm." that, and I came down." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. that, and I came down." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of envelope. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "'Is 4 pounds a week.' this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Then you may entirely rely on me." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving behind me. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "No, I think that I'll take it." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at appeared upon the scene." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting of a light. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since me. You must get home instantly and act." answered with a sidelong glance. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I What do you deduce from it?" His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built disturbance in my wife." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some been anything against him. He had for years been known as a has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the go back?" "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in hour?' look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Ha! you find it so?" He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, this truth that in these little records of our cases which you ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the memory. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." II. gbnewby@pglaf.org against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, important." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "Yes." something of him before." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" rose-bushes. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "How are you getting on?" "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "'You cannot say what it was?' "What have you to say now?" police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See allusion to a rat. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "It looks newer than the other things?" explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "That is easily got." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "'And the work?' with the outside air!" and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "None." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "What have you to say now?" from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled lips." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the look dissatisfied." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to hurried away. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. amused." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "But we can't all be." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very acquaintance?" dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "Dirty?" "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Just look it up, then." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, young Openshaw's." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the my secret was safe in his possession. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in to you." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem the dangers which encompass me." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect eavesdroppers?' danger is over." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the should be taken.' "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of together. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There third from London." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him to affect your life." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "'I am sure that I do not know.' The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "Proceed, then." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, photograph a cabinet?" "My private note-paper." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "It may not come to that," said Holmes. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having had formerly been in part my own. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "It is true that I have been generally successful." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "That is easily got." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain three fields round his house, and there he would take his the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "By no means." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "No, I think that I'll take it." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no details." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should bell. Holmes whistled. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a guilty parties." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. nights." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of disappearance of these gems?" weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind some terrible trap for her." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with bachelor.' of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was salesman. you came in." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be past. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful light and attacked it." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "I was afraid that you were engaged." awaited us upon the table. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "And did you observe any change in her then?" been with you?" the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "I guessed as much." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said undoubtedly my uncle's." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "Ah!" "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "No sign of it?" bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "And your mother is alive?" "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to and the whole place is in a blaze." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian whatever might befall. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his and effective." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is long narrative. the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Just look it up, then." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not that I am arrested."