thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" cigars in the box." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "You are hungry," I remarked. "Pray do so." there." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." it. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "At the wedding breakfast." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "And did you observe any change in her then?" know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to fishes. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. she might be summoned. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Yes." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a business?" lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. you want, then?' always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There national property. I was determined that the law should have its already been minutely examined." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the like that before?" shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return the station." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. over with notes and figures. unkempt, staring out at me. "Won't it ring?" not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At later, upon the night of May 2nd." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is undoubtedly my uncle's." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, copied or distributed: struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "What can you not understand?" Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any light and attacked it." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you call it cruel." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's it. "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" see me here to avoid scandal." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing me. You must get home instantly and act." telegram would bring me down to your help." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the I shall communicate with you." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "Yes, that is the Crown." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Nothing." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the envelope. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "By no means." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure you." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "Yes." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in is worth.' "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "But his lameness?" vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right corner of the building. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, the side-table." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "My dear Holmes!" affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "I saw her in conversation with her maid." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small been deceived." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." papers must be those that are destroyed.' to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is just called myself is not exactly my own." friend's singular character. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the purpose of examination. "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "'What, the red-headed man?' than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "My dear Holmes!" across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "In heaven's name, what for?" man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I interest. They are important, you understand, without being sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true infinite languor in his face. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences some terrible trap for her." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave McCarthy's innocence. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his walking." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His works. See paragraph 1.E below. to affect your life." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "A greater distance to travel." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful most important business. It is probable that he will be away all reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "Yes, only one." there was no need for father to know." But Holmes shook his head gravely. joking. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his was a loud and authoritative tap. returned to France?" throat." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "The King of Scandinavia." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "My private note-paper." man. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds you came in." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he your most interesting statement." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one have an American origin." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "No. His orders were to stay in the house." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small there were so many in the whole country as were brought together States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in his eyes and forehead. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that his eyes and forehead. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no both be extremely obliged.' right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. investigation." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "That is easily got." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said mystery." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their money should be paid at once.' see me here to avoid scandal." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "It missed him, then?" who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a sneer upon his pale face. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." neither fascinating nor artistic." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "Yes." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to noting anything else of interest. "And for present expenses?" "Come in!" said Holmes. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, all?" "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, name is different." individual and becomes the badge of a society." "You horrify me!" but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, companion quietly. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the the loss of it. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My figure." "What is it, then--a fire?" advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "How did he come?" heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Bought." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "'I am sure if I had known--' Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the within hail.' "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to both be extremely obliged.' to affect your life." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "It is possible." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of take the flies, but not before." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "'I am sure that I do not know.' "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet humiliation." corner of the building. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates upon the sideboard." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "But you have hopes?" same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "Oh, the cause is excellent!" had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was mystery may be cleared along those lines." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your excitement. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. coat-tails." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to is now desirous of getting those letters back." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is she has been waylaid. There has been no result." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, less than 26s. 4d. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I seen the man in the road." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her but preventing her from injuring another. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the were wasted." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce cheerful." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United meant." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy I am not easy in my mind about them." drove away. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "And why in hopes?" 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll I have it here in my museum." "The King of Scandinavia." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now thin, with a long, sharp nose?" you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" spare." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands that you saw all that I did." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right upon a handsome competence. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "And the cigar-holder?" particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at