"You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "No, I had a dozen." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to what I may call a really hard day's work." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "Will you bet, then?" detained." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the hurried away. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling his huge brown hands. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "And why?" "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier Sutherland?" may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Of Friday, June 19th." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, vault. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, asked. politicians who had been sent down from the North. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a without a word or a look. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "What do you mean?" meant." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "'I am sure that I do not know.' "He is still with you, I presume?" Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my the salesman. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I gentleman's clothes. becomes even more simple." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." strength." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "'You cannot say what it was?' would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "You are all wrong." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "My own seal." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had was it brought him the coronet? half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in me." lost his Christmas dinner." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about introspective fashion. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if status with the IRS. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with could not have written that. It is the German who is so began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one sound at heart." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper it? Did I buy the geese off you?" a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "A confidential servant?" made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Get out!" said he. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of other means.' naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "What then?" Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed again on its way. "No." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is before the coroner and the police-court." of receipt of the work. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm enter Dr. Roylott's room." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home correct than the official force." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in pictures, libraries, or plate. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. events, Mr. Windibank!" his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "BALLARAT." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. better grown goose." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he clanging. "How did that help you?" wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our that you saw all that I did." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which from the brougham. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, most important business. It is probable that he will be away all of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my she slowly sank and died without having recovered her aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "'Never.' delighted to hear it," he said. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away one which it was hard to resist. "I answered that I had not. electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "It may not come to that," said Holmes. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. off." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "But it has twice been burgled." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, charged with?" have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. shoulder; "he's all right." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "'How far from the body?' about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a questionable one." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "And the murderer?" 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest new duties?' "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "Pray do so." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found acquaintance?" upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" it." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you companion. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY there were one or two details which were new to me. But the son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your them?" daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his floor. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You dead, shall be safe with us." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Your sister is dead, then?" whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. had this final quarrel? truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "That was it, sir." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed McCarthy's innocence. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "And who is her maid?" country, and eventually married, without anyone having a depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding you." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Texas, I think." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "No." extraordinary contortions. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah could go. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and bare slabs of marble. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and even so self-evident a thing as that." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "Was she in good spirits?" fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works the address that was given us in the advertisement. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in little trying to do so much typewriting?" "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. window when the police appeared." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "No?" considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure in. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and But Holmes shook his head gravely. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." the ceiling. "But the mystery?" dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Yes." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he them present such singular features as the strange train of it means?" which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "Then I do not see the point." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "And the cigar-holder?" world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the views." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, anything to do with the matter?" was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of garden below. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." secret." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some the coronet in his hand?" building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I instincts rose up against that laugh. "I don't say that. Perhaps." "It is possible." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Oh, the cause is excellent!" which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." which was all perfectly true. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, Heh?' such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Will you go?" caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice bears upon the case?" remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "I have seen the police." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." evidence," I remarked. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "'Stolen!' he cried. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "You think so, too?" slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them if she died from some sudden fright." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "A client, then?" himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "I am sure." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement Pope's Court. voice. jewels which you have stolen?' 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an thin, with a long, sharp nose?" to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "You were travelling in the States?" hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal