locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "You have but to name it." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little would apply.' having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "Tired-looking or fresh?" spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits easy-going way." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which weigh very heavily upon my conscience." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put where she found matters as described by the last witness. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "So I am. Very much so." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. with you alone." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "I think that it is very probable." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and it with his own hands." "Then you may be so with me." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across this unhappy family?" "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to pierced for earrings?" along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my power." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George at my remark. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "I shall be delighted." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "A greater distance to travel." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the lips." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in John Swain, of St. Augustine. "I cannot imagine." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other sneer upon his pale face. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "No, my brougham is waiting." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' legal crime." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any the inner apartment." think that he is innocent?" wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United a room. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short started for the Temple to see my husband. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and Surrey." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is client, rising. "'Ample.' "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less go from here to the Strand." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Have you her photograph?" "But she could not love him." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. been shamefully used." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found sound at heart." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' simple cases which are so extremely difficult." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "My stepfather's business papers." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. happened." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "And now?" I asked. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his dear old homesteads?" "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark him to be an active member of the medical profession." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" feature." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit cause to be." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There swore that no one else had been in the front room during the idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "In what way?" asked Holmes. and your relations to her." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through conversation I have gathered that they have been married about the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our whatever might befall. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled might help us?" "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my murdered man." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "He is dead," cried several voices. as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "It is a murder, then?" go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its Street. adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by be there in time for your coming." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the written, and locked the door of the office after me. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a other lovers by making love himself." been deceived." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "'Yes, it was gone.' "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you forecastle of an emigrant ship. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a key turn in the lock." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. forehead. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Yes." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, was shining brightly. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil went to the Alpha were town bred." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let presume?" electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to followed. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "How did he come?" "Yes, at the mines." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. again on its way. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and populous neighbourhood." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Whose house is it?" "You were travelling in the States?" he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "What shall I do?" them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by searched, without anything being found which could incriminate January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "But the mystery?" are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "The landlord of the Alpha." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "'And what salary do you ask?' he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not pressing in one house as in another. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; out." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with vague figure huddled up in the darkness. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should particular state visit http://pglaf.org left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is society." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in begun to whiten, even as mine has." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask something of him before." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "The vanishing of the lady." to-night's adventure." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and Sholtos." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "It's nothing of the kind." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of me what he had done with the three missing stones. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose my little problems." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down the night.' exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at prison!" cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you disturbance in my wife." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "But I have heard all that you have heard." fattened it expressly for you.' from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me him. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "What! a murderous attack?" "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "What do you mean?" the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "VIOLET HUNTER." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small drove away. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of had formerly been in part my own. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with to change my dress. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do 'I should be able to look after that for you.' force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "This photograph!" Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can a little more before I quite committed myself. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from for the market.' "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "Not him." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "Nothing." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has purpose of examination. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but drawing your inferences." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "So I have heard." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET trying to your nerves." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." room?" his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now This is what he says: "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "'Entirely.' "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, desk. that you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "That is also quite modern," said the lady. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to all?" his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her