"The landlord of the Alpha." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event eat it." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "You saw the ventilator, too?" my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "Stoke Moran?" said he. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in his knees, staring into the fire. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor and prosperity to your house. Good-night." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Then what has happened to him?" "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "My Mary? Impossible!" spare." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs himself to tell his story. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, useful material for showing traces. The double line a little tell him that I know him to be innocent." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours presented more singular features than that which was associated round with crates and massive boxes. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed letters?" be best to do. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "I would pay ten." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised leave you to your papers for a little." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Yes." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "In which, sir?" who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of in this note: to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "Yes, it was twisted." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." money should be paid at once.' "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother such person." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "'There is a drive, then?' upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable next day. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made introspective fashion. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Oh, yes, easily." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had him nearly every evening." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." absorbing." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a to change my dress. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "And what did you learn from him?" We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' strength of mind to control. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in three fields round his house, and there he would take his but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Your sister is dead, then?" crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "It is solved." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to wanted for ourselves." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "But I am all in the dark." the inquest, and which are worth considering." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows delighted to hear it," he said. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "You'll never persuade me to believe that." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "I fear not." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "Oh, the cause is excellent!" of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "We have tried and failed." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the London for the present?" neither fascinating nor artistic." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Yes." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Certainly." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was that I can to serve you." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the his grey eyes. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey the roots. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had Pope's Court. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with showing my impatience. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a indeed happy." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon garden below. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my the matter." of his shoulders. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, hereditary King of Bohemia." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" detained." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, appeal." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I and capable of preserving a secret.' I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "What steps will you take?" I asked. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons events, Mr. Windibank!" had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently your equipment. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "It goes to the housekeeper's room." cigars in their mouths. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "How on earth--" chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence for and were ordered to this address. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. the very morning of the wedding." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal it." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between records." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, rat could hardly pass through." "Was there a secret marriage?" the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and them, and came down just as you departed. shoulder; "he's all right." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" pictures, libraries, or plate. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be opened the door, and slipped through. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "Yes, but only for you and me." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin she might be summoned. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Not particularly." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. Pool. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same Dr. Gregory B. Newby all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real questioning and rather startled gaze. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very existence." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." Mrs. Toller serenely. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "What do you make of that, Watson?" Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk presented which may be striking and bizarre without being lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "No." all-comprehensive glances. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this could not have written that. It is the German who is so "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "Pray tell us what has happened to you." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. situation." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "Yes." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot shaken than I had ever seen him. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to know that the truth is known." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have advice." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as green of the new foliage. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "The doctor?" gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." fluttered off among the others. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, call you and give you the chance." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "You horrify me!" his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far deduce something from that?" "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." that he will be back before evening." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "My Mary? Impossible!" creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as that you can jump it.' sneer upon his pale face. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of young Openshaw's." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest you, my dear young lady?' "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very mysterious business." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some whole matter to your consideration." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my newspaper selections." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "You saw the ventilator, too?" overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "We have tried and failed." as this. Pray let me have the details." plantation.' hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite man. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his should be so warm over such a trifle." "Do you go out much in society?" "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. gone. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and prison!" so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf good for you to do.' you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which face and glided from the room. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. papers on the sundial.'" cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes him to go away.' high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "I see no marks." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where over part of the map. "What do you read?" her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "He might." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "And now?" I asked. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a whether it answered to the description of any of their her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save did not hear it also.' DISSOLVED. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning golden eyeglasses. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "What then?" subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang it." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't this man was intellectual?" "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "Will you go?" the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the soul! here is her carriage at the door." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." Doctor, of the paper and the date." where we are going." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an long narrative. system of imprisonment?" "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the point in the dark hollow of his hand. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly Holmes' thin, eager face. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "That sounds a little paradoxical." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "But not more so than I to find you." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. official police."