singular points about the case. What did the police think of the became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "'What then?' I asked. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "You did not overhear what they said?" "The doctor?" admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "BALLARAT." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "This photograph!" papers on the sundial.'" have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our hard-headed British jury." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, than was visible to me." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "I think that it is very probable." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church of this gang." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "What!" he roared. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "Bought." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to will he say when he returns?" "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. people in all walks of life. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have must be when I saw the door open.' absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his if I call to-morrow?" sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. IS prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm is so. I know all about McCarthy." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Yes." "How can you tell that?" events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his existence." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' her also." "It was an hour's good drive." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is asked. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their I nodded again. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and less than 26s. 4d. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "No. His orders were to stay in the house." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just presented more singular features than that which was associated many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for window when the police appeared." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the papers." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my affection." see me here to avoid scandal." "But it has twice been burgled." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping sufficient punishment." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "'Entirely.' august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to what I may call a really hard day's work." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" crime." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Thank you. And your address?" felt?" Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a behind me. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful anything to do with the matter?" of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as through." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Of what?" given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it throat." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the prove to be little relation between the different incidents of for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too important." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her learned something! Where are the gems?" that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "The decline of his fortunes, then?" chambers. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." This is what he says: for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must character. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their The events in question occurred in the early days of my the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "What, then, did Peterson do?" ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Very truly yours, the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy in my life." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Yes, certainly." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us forecastle of an emigrant ship. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "I see no marks." to that open window." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third is acting for the best. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have anything to do with the matter?" the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "By no means." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers away in different directions, and I went off to make my own tail." "I was mad--insane." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line have an American origin." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret congratulate you again." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian furiously. chambers. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "No, I think that I'll take it." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "And the murderer?" Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion were unconscious?" upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but straighten it?" "So I am. Very much so." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "She told me to ask you." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "By all means." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have directors, with the result that you have seen." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I hard-headed British jury." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "What then?" town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "I am to be neutral?" all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of such attractions and accomplishments?' down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a Holmes." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an your own bird, so if you wish--" together. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Dr. Becher's." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. tell him that I know him to be innocent." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What Holmes' face clouded over. think, you have already met." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it individual and becomes the badge of a society." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "Of what day?" case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "Of what day?" jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "But we can't all be." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "We must sit without light. He would see it through the fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well never to learn it at all." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." ways of our fellow-men." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible my secret was safe in his possession. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with constraint." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your will take you up to see the machine.' When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. strength." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had cause to be." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." made his money." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right his face which made him a very different person to the round, case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over His smile broadened. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "But I have heard all that you have heard." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. a very grave face. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a assist you in forming an opinion." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There beg that you will break it off." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "'Yes, sir.' prisoner's face. charged with?" first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "And Irene Adler?" of." tell him that I know him to be innocent." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "It's nothing of the kind." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "Stoke Moran?" said he. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "Very truly yours, pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." girl said." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "How did he come?" the night.' that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "What do you make of that, Watson?" and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "But I am all in the dark." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and was not a bird to be seen there. laugh and put his lips to my ear. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. the devil!" "'Most admirably.' not, dad?" she asked. do.' The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood residence of the great financier. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much least a most suspicious remark." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was hand, madam?" "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the purpose equally well?" solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds derbies." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "Which are?"