of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Of what?" in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." system of imprisonment?" society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there were wasted." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I his huge brown hands. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen mysterious business." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way chemical work which was so dear to him. "Where is it, then?" records." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who relief. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with mystery may be cleared along those lines." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "What! You do not mean bodies?" of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these what is your own theory as to what took place?" family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. awaited us upon the table. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously the so-precious time, but come!' have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he is worth.' ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and straightened it out again. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are sofa. This way, please!" reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "What then?" could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly way in everything. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "It surprised me." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Of what?" "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a Young McCarthy must be got off, however." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading of them has the shutters up.' her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until Heh?' which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had down. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "What then?" "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a problems help me to do so." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the his huge brown hands. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must second." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know joking. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "What! a murderous attack?" he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Witness: It was. know what is wrong with it.' "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will It was close upon four before the door opened, and a person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "In San Francisco, a year ago." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "Ah!" "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "'Oh, no.' revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "You forget that I know nothing about it." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked the coronet in his hand?" fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot child?' on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of has little to do with my story." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, in a friendly supper." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. said I. answer." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied strength of mind to control. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got face and glided from the room. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert status with the IRS. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to ready to-morrow?' Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "This photograph!" and all of them with the keenest interest. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Yes, but only for you and me." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "But you have hopes?" all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's manager. "Your presence might be invaluable." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low are windows in it, of course?" stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. trifles." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. the address that was given us in the advertisement. individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "He disappeared so suddenly." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to four million human beings all jostling each other within the demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' villagers almost as much as their master. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' as he remarks, very much against the son." "'You cannot say what it was?' come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Yes, all." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "What!" he roared. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it evidence," I remarked. that he will be back before evening." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "Only as much as we can deduce." golden eyeglasses. "BALLARAT." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall miles off. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a him. served to weaken the effect. noble correspondent could be. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, for securing the situation." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered has little to do with my story." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "He disappeared so suddenly." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Bought." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. ordinary clothes on?" "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge jewels which you have stolen?' us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "'Never.' smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my himself to tell his story. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said or other trace. But how on earth--" I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this head. So long, then!" brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had past. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that gone. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "My stepfather's business papers." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. must compliment you." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I woman." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive he died? few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Your sister is dead, then?" "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "Nothing." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that God! What an exposure! What can I do?" green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There mystery may be cleared along those lines." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and dates and names. in a friendly supper." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "The decline of his fortunes, then?" it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and your sleep?' what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "Not in a good cause." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I helping a boy to put up the shutters. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "Perhaps I have." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy people don't know." "Not particularly." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back could gather together that I was able to avert another public on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. call you and give you the chance." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This weigh very heavily upon my conscience." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "Your French gold?" providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true head. So long, then!" very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Entirely." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little of note-paper. It read in this fashion: do.' have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think are, I think, all that we need." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "I have a cab outside." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," it. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "No more words. Get out!" Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the down from London to inquire more deeply into it." detained." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders approach us with offers to donate. detained." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady them?" "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when go from here to the Strand." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or events, Mr. Windibank!" chambers. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote them, and came down just as you departed. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "But what will you do?" extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the to change my dress. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more should be taken.' not come at once?" Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "Look there!" said he. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "I do." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no in the dead of the night?' union?" truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the as yours." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "Yes, only one." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was a good hundred miles off by now." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you details." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "I guessed as much." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "Yes." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a nights." matter." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his which it had come upon my father." "Why did you pick him?" this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the Young McCarthy must be got off, however." past. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will