unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded appointment with me for six o'clock?" "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Yes." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood business came to an end." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very relation between them, and what the object of his repeated instincts rose up against that laugh. lumber-room." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "No." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "What! You do not mean bodies?" brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out know all about it," he snarled. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with done what I asked you, Jones?" relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "Indeed! Whose, then?" of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have he. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing way in everything. "'What then?' I asked. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution the roots. definite end. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which there is a decided draught." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my Stoke Moran." sneer upon his pale face. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "What!" he roared. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "She will not sell." presented more singular features than that which was associated individual and becomes the badge of a society." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. companion quietly. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned the morning and make my own way in the world.' "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled likely to be some crony of the landlady's." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such vanished into the darkness. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed secret." "I should be immensely obliged to you." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a overpowering excitement and concern. "And who is her maid?" arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "I will, Miss Turner." "From his hat?" I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My again, where I was soon asleep. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' I leave." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have opened the door, and slipped through. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "But how could you guess what the motive was?" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Really! You surprise me." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a good for you to do.' to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Yes, the wine-cellar." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly tell me that you intended to go into harness." morning." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "No, distinctly professional." of campaign. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, later, upon the night of May 2nd." is acting for the best. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he companion. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your and shall probably return to London by the evening train." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't distance from the station, and there we found the young lady will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, towards the blaze. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, awkward doing business with an alias." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "On Monday." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed in him." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "No, finished." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to overpowering excitement and concern. the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a his knees, staring into the fire. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "Pray do so." "To an end?" which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "'Yes, I promise.' Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, the very morning of the wedding." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an already been minutely examined." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and client, rising. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the my special province." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then is now desirous of getting those letters back." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Only as much as we can deduce." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to Pope's Court, Fleet Street." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "No. What a strange idea!" squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to quite distinctive." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should cigars in their mouths. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. call it cruel." "Were they all fastened this morning?" pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Pray continue your narrative." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there writing, and yet I know it well." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole upon a handsome competence. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "But you can know nothing of this?" LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE against a man in the prime of life?" so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door whole matter to your consideration." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "What of the rat, then?" knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the legal crime." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully of receipt of the work. Does that suggest anything?" were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "But I am all in the dark." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened opportunities to fix the problem. thin legs towards the fire. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, he. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low him to be an active member of the medical profession." "There is the writing." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the rose-bushes. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she For additional contact information: half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here village inn over there?" "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he sentimental considerations in the background which would induce advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Nearly eleven." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an our word." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past of the way of danger. other lovers by making love himself." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "You have but to name it." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. few hundred pounds.' "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Nor running a chance of arrest?" nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he an introduction to him?" Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "If I can be of use." way in." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and would then never go into court at all." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm prison!" have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and strange features which were associated with the two crimes which for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "And did you observe any change in her then?" twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something my room." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging article?" emerged. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in since then to throw any light upon what became of him." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be thirty. behind me. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began one of them." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "Then what has happened to him?" towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in delighted to hear it," he said. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for John Swain, of St. Augustine. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out call you and give you the chance." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. is now desirous of getting those letters back." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which to some other building. "What can it mean?" I gasped. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "Here?" glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "But the mystery?" accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between never came back." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm your billet.' "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be to affect your life." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always me, and I could not think that his explanation of the glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. is worth.' is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "'Is 4 pounds a week.' enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, should be so warm over such a trifle." "Have you her photograph?" children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "'In my own bureau.' where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, Holmes." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and examine." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up prove to be little relation between the different incidents of and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "None. Neville wrote those words." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "My opinion is in no way altered." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." said he at last. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "In what way?" asked Holmes. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "'It is locked up,' I answered. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather morning." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way some mystery and the punishment of some crime." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "Was there a secret marriage?" thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was wall." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink union?" are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport and prosperity to your house. Good-night." come either from the window or the door. My attention was "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "And for present expenses?" presented which may be striking and bizarre without being self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually John Swain, of St. Augustine. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would