Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey the bottom.' call for protection in the marriage market, for the present upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is anything to a woman, for she would have her way." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and woman." retorted upon me, and I on you." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "Who was the criminal, then?" "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for made his money." over with notes and figures. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery meant." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "Oh, yes, easily." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "It is no ordinary one." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless searched, without anything being found which could incriminate not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a details should find their way into the papers. Inspector one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my my special province." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and was a perfect sample of the class. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, the night.' "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an was shining brightly. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had Mrs. Toller serenely. "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to over here." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my tear off another piece?' "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the papers must be those that are destroyed.' "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "9th. McCauley cleared. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "On Monday." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "And is that all?" alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. constraint." intrusion of other matters." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in with you alone." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "Here?" down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." works. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the the ceiling. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite she to prove their authenticity?" "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Married! When?" "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that particular state visit http://pglaf.org reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "'Certainly,' I answered. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you in the port of London." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. there!' easy-going way." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "You have but to name it." when your master had gone out." there has been an enclosure here!" "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is You can understand that this register and diary may implicate We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "At the wedding breakfast." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his ways of our fellow-men." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "None." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a photograph?" too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Ah!" dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. furiously. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right silent! Oh, he will be silent!' husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "On Monday." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the meanly of me." I nodded to show that I had heard. least a fellow-countryman. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple to Leatherhead. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little bonnet, and went out." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "I guessed as much." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "In answer to an advertisement." presume?" to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an was used.' of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since that he will be back before evening." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "Witness: Nothing definite. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "I think it very unlikely." "No." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third I. and glanced through. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End floor. when your master had gone out." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of article?" of his shoulders. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Nothing." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that politicians who had been sent down from the North. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear straighten it?" Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to Holmes rather sternly. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case case-book, which he consulted. "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "To an English lawyer named Norton." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "What have you done?" asked Holmes. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "By no means." "No, thank goodness, she did not." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless Sutherland. "I would give my fortune to have them back." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "But your client--" "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is your room." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in London for the present?" "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the License. You must require such a user to return or logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either fait accompli?" into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove Serpentine Avenue. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "No?" "That is possible." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord opened a pocket-book and took out a note. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. Leadenhall Street--and--" down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "But he might be a bachelor." Holmes' thin, eager face. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me it." breakfast?" word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "He disappeared so suddenly." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the locked. "Nothing." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." leave you to your papers for a little." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my chambers. it were putty." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the he died? "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a I am not easy in my mind about them." round with crates and massive boxes. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "But of what society?" to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Yes, but only for you and me." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement guilty one." congratulate you again." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, back alive. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two never came back." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees in a friendly supper." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had the matter." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "My opinion is in no way altered." politicians who had been sent down from the North. "I would give my fortune to have them back." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "And who is her maid?" the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to ago." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's detective. get her out of the way." cup of tea. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an thought that she would have been so carried away." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had useful material for showing traces. The double line a little sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a invisible to me," I remarked. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Certainly." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Well." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was your bag." "Was he the only applicant?" before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you green of the new foliage. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It may never be exposed to such a temptation." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "That's no good." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "Pray do so." infinite languor in his face. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if face and glided from the room. better grown goose." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "I came to find a friend."