not use it unless it is absolutely needed." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I humiliation." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are before, for it was considerably after midnight. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "And did you observe any change in her then?" fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by tassel actually lying upon the pillow. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' Pope's Court. "And I." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental Serpentine Avenue. "Then you may be so with me." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "I see many objections to any such theory." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "What have you to say now?" re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Certainly." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite whatever might befall. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. point in the dark hollow of his hand. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have hand, madam?" the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Very murderous indeed." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Here?" sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty before the coroner and the police-court." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "But the mystery?" 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little ventilator." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and and laid it on the table. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he round with crates and massive boxes. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "I was certainly surprised to find you there." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for in the dead of the night?' that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Imitated." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the asked. the best of training." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "'I am sure that I do not know.' bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "Then he might have called to you?" electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Stolen, then." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." and your relations to her." the matter?" sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "Stolen, then." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Not particularly." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he know that the truth is known." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of head. So long, then!" "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it presented which may be striking and bizarre without being Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in sake, don't!" "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had certainly not very gracious." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "But how?" chance." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." photograph a cabinet?" and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." not personally threatened." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. clang of the bell. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the or in danger--" wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we astonishment. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: row." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the ashen face. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "ARAT," I read. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round nonsense.' "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, families. Now for the facts. "My Mary? Impossible!" long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "You have the photograph?" what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "'Ten to two.' goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will important." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second I approached. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what taking in every detail of the apartment. "Certainly." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "I cannot as yet see any connection." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for thirty. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which look dissatisfied." joking. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Have you her photograph?" peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your to-night?' corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger hair?' the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic room. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few himself to tell his story. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "Not him." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that directors, with the result that you have seen." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. the nursery. "Texas, I think." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I name is different." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "What are they?" Literary Archive Foundation erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already in your London, you will know that the office of the company is Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at meant it for the best. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "No, finished." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by shall use the carriage to-night." "'I am sure that I do not know.' withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we papers." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all meant it for the best. directly by questioning you." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "He might." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest himself. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp recover the gem." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do stepfather?" without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "'Yes, it was gone.' blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and felt?" as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic with you alone." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "Then I shall certainly come." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "And did you observe any change in her then?" "Stoke Moran?" said he. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my guilty one." "But he might be a bachelor." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and some mystery and the punishment of some crime." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "'About the same.' XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET society." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew brandy and water within his reach. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Very much so." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "You heard nothing yourself last night?" values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, see a sister of mine apply for." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously back to my heart. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in been shamefully used." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "But what harm can there be in that?" better in every way that they should make their position a little significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, seven miles from Eyford Station.' "Has he come with you to-night?" "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the test if we have an answer to our advertisement." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's test if we have an answer to our advertisement." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang good-night and bustled off upon her way. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "Precisely so. But how--" "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the distinguish the words: lumber-room." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress and put his glass in his pocket. "Bought." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever this as likely?" Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely questionable one." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made Eyford." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat papers diligently of late, have you not?" glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the there has been an enclosure here!" "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." discontent upon his features. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was into the bag, and made for the door. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or new duties?' remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "Yes, certainly." "But she could not love him." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that new acquaintance to Baker Street. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the already referred to. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether second window is the one that I jumped from." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and himself to hunt down. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his certainly not very gracious." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "I am about to be married." lumber-room." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so woman who has had her own way to make in the world. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside legal crime." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those I shall communicate with you." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our prepare for the new role I have to play." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we I took the paper from him and read as follows: business matters.' as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "How do you know, then?" morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their do.' "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter.