that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Were they all fastened this morning?" sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "I think that I had better go, Holmes." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so was the fact that his father should, according to his account, sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "What will you do, then?" and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and off." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both woman." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Yes." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has written, and locked the door of the office after me. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the made him keep the appointment." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not you for a few hours?" "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' Holmes' thin, eager face. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet danger is over." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat own family. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the beg that you will break it off." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "What then?" his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less Doctor, of the paper and the date." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, But Holmes shook his head gravely. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had business?" explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened think that he is innocent?" dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, I. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon minor matters until to-morrow." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' astonishment. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study him." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal http://www.gutenberg.net PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round me have 200 pounds?' prisoner's face. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "We have tried and failed." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "That was it, sir." to tell." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "The King of Scandinavia." "How did he come?" "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted copied or distributed: depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to experiences." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the and your relations to her." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, will find little credit to be gained out of this case." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "'Certainly not.' pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "But he might be a bachelor." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in silent! Oh, he will be silent!' ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "Have you it here?" I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "By no means." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman you understand?" paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own any more." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to asked. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling any little problem which you may submit to me." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence and looked back. being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and carried out of court." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for sake, don't!" sake, don't!" relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may strength in the others." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "No, my brougham is waiting." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the was already answered. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "There are none." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "I came to find a friend." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "And why?" here and I will read it to you: them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "Why serious?" my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed of the vacancies.' a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the constraint." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "But she could not love him." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "His face fell immediately. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and passage and a tap at the door. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover the house with me." spark where all is dark to me." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" back alive. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through questioning and rather startled gaze. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on redistribution. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some formed some opinion?" possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to despair." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you knowledge of the world." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "His face fell immediately. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied voice, changing her seat as requested. had picked up in the wood. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would bears upon the case?" it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose directly by questioning you." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled the salesman. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his brandy and water within his reach. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the without a word or a look. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "I have a cab outside." have established a very serious case against the son of the man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. man. I know him from the photograph." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "'Yes, it was gone.' them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with look upon these things in a different way." is four-and-twenty." "'What, the red-headed man?' was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger the running down." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. go--none." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "It is very kind of you." the bottom.' "And when will you call?" client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are the ceiling. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and over part of the map. "What do you read?" "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the fat-encircled eyes. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO simple cases which are so extremely difficult." you." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left was not a bird to be seen there. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in your billet.' "Then, as to money?" Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "But of what society?" and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his key of the affair now." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug way in everything. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I events, Mr. Windibank!" often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." the window, rose as we entered. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him acquaintance?" "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar call the police, let the police find what they can.' fluttered off among the others. "But not more so than I to find you." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life her also." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which posted to-day." would then never go into court at all." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "What! You do not mean bodies?" "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "'You doubt its value?' he asked. Clair, of Lee." but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, suddenly upon us." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Then I am your man." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more Where does the thing come from?' drove away. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons more solid." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "It is true that I have been generally successful." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. sound at heart." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. walking." seven miles from Eyford Station.' on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a sufficient punishment." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "He disappeared so suddenly." good-night and bustled off upon her way. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "What! a murderous attack?" took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is from the brougham. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "Yes, certainly." "Certainly." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy helping a boy to put up the shutters. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on Where does the thing come from?' any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "Why, what do you mean?" "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the once more. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on of campaign. "You are all wrong." cost them two and thirty pounds." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. carried out of court." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Well." plantation.' "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I me. You must get home instantly and act." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for this remarkable episode. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "What of the rat, then?" thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "It is solved." "I cannot say that I have." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "But what is it you wish?" 'I should be able to look after that for you.' have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some