'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to never came back." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be definite end. "The best possible." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the he. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present so far?" "None." "'And what salary do you ask?' but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "I shall most certainly do so." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal could gather together that I was able to avert another public dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. fled together." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "What steps will you take?" I asked. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Did he not advertise?" the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began for the market.' while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You know what is wrong with it.' however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I ago." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, the King without delay." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as late!' while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the rat could hardly pass through." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just John Swain, of St. Augustine. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless this remarkable episode. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You the date of his supposed suicide." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat unprecedented a position." "Always." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as politicians who had been sent down from the North. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "None." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then question," said Holmes, smiling. cigars in their mouths. ago." ashen face. "It is very clear." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, becomes even more simple." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. papers on the sundial.'" his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country train.' "The best possible." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad several quiet little villages up there." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "Not I." here." go--none." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "How are you getting on?" then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "I shall be delighted." cost them two and thirty pounds." "Then, as to money?" inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "Where did he live, then?" clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "No." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "Witness: It was. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming electronic works papers." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." memory. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to to that open window." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found seven miles from Eyford Station.' signal between you and your father? interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "This concluded the examination of the witness." even of instruction." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working if she died from some sudden fright." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Won't it ring?" slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to to-night?" I asked. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and wall." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his know all about it," he snarled. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have chair. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I acted in my house last night?" "And the murderer?" there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "I have a cab outside." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I main points of my analysis." Holmes. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the business came to an end." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "Pray do so." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "Is he quiet?" conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "It goes to the housekeeper's room." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "But you would not advise me to refuse?" carpenter." photograph?" "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "I cannot tell." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party this Miss Turner." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "Yes." said he. own family. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' the tragedy. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, goes." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might head. So long, then!" "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my wedding?" McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "And why?" a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would keep the flames under. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Then, how do you know?" LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of will he say when he returns?" upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of one's self under obligations.' mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "What is it?" "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Then I shall certainly come." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and disappearance of the bride.'" "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he noble correspondent could be. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when upon a handsome competence. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name papers." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One learned something! Where are the gems?" journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime to where he stood hid behind the curtain. there was no need for father to know." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the appeal." "Then I do not see the point." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of instincts rose up against that laugh. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. of." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a on re-entering her father's house?" in this note: him. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I without a word or a look. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my in my life." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Yes." "In answer to an advertisement." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre little trying to do so much typewriting?" took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take ways including including checks, online payments and credit card the coronet at all injured?" "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project putting in the horse. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version to miss it." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of third from London." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "I came to find a friend." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are very morning of my second wedding." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of against a man in the prime of life?" I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so trying to your nerves." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "'And the work?' "Yes, at the mines." case before our client came into the room." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "I am following you closely," I answered. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was 11:15.' used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of see me here to avoid scandal." them?" public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know use an arc-and-compass breastpin." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he indeed happy." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, which are rolled in Rotterdam." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." clanging. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be the nursery. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was fact, we may call it conclusive." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set what is your own theory as to what took place?" me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "My opinion is in no way altered." comes from the middle window." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "The rest you will leave in our hands." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss your billet.' observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "And from a noble client?" to that open window." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an to that open window." "Stolen, then." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "Come in!" said Holmes. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was four million human beings all jostling each other within the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than Holmes' room. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a the inner apartment." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "What of the rat, then?" "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. dead, shall be safe with us." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Well, some hundreds of times." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "The landlord of the Alpha." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about the little opening for the ventilator is." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I seem to you to be relevant or not." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have