in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "His face fell immediately. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His populous neighbourhood." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "We have tried and failed." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "I cannot imagine." straighten it?" hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, with you?" word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly answered with a sidelong glance. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his details." must compliment you." whole matter to your consideration." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the might have a private word with us. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a bore every mark of being an average commonplace British week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then foresight and the moral retrogression?" accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the the armchair which I pushed forward for him. Holmes. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, six. Come in!" have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "I never have." "And you can do nothing until then?" country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "You will not go there first?" I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "I cannot think." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too until night should bring an explanation. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip have I gained?" time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we For additional contact information: that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah grasp, he hurried from the room. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "My last client of the sort was a king." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers when your master had gone out." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone than was visible to me." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he hurried by. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, this truth that in these little records of our cases which you know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. look upon these things in a different way." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "Then I can wait in the next room." relief. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several was lame." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "The vanishing of the lady." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Yes, sir." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas even so self-evident a thing as that." if I call to-morrow?" time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our chamber." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "What have you to say now?" a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, recall any case within my experience which looked at the first and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "I cannot imagine." "He said that you could solve anything." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "In answer to an advertisement." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been Farm upon the left." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a second window is the one that I jumped from." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and key turn in the lock." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "No, I think that I'll take it." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the http://gutenberg.net/license). "You don't mind breaking the law?" "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way help us in this matter." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the said Mr. Holder. "And you don't know his address?" over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." taking in every detail of the apartment. "Certainly." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "And what did you learn from him?" little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "Yes, sir." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of the house with me." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "Stolen." congratulate you again." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "And what then?" computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "And what then?" conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "That is easily got." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son you." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "'Oh, no.' "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to your Highness to the police-station?" signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him the little opening for the ventilator is." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, trifles." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, question. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses during that time.' "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' his huge brown hands. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more impression behind it as though a window had gently closed unkempt, staring out at me. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was trying to your nerves." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and *** START: FULL LICENSE *** hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a 'I should be able to look after that for you.' unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "'Yes, I promise.' drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the heavy and sharp instrument." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Yes, certainly." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and call you and give you the chance." weary and pale-looking. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our the nursery. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my shoulder; "he's all right." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "And you don't know his address?" among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is it right.' Sutherland. whatever might befall. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the standing smiling on the door-step. seen the man in the road." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little society." waste of energy." waste of energy." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "To an English lawyer named Norton." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such golden eyeglasses. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "And sit in the dark?" "Quite so." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. sparkled upon his finger. "What is it?" have I gained?" while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It individual and becomes the badge of a society." night.' said he. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay depend upon my doing so.' have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "No, my brougham is waiting." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: questionable one." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of arrested. You then--" were wasted." "What then?" "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "Certainly." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "But how?" when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "And the cigar-holder?" station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "Then he might have called to you?" you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Not in a good cause." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "But what is it you wish?" streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. the house with me." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "No." "He slept on the premises." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "To the police?" The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk name is different." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or excitement. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "The decline of his fortunes, then?" long narrative. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it following enigmatical notices: A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to had picked up in the wood. man. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "Then what has happened to him?" "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if matters immensely." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Were they all fastened this morning?" thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "'Yes, I promise.' Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," sooner or later she must fall a victim. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "But how could you guess what the motive was?" promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he conversation I have gathered that they have been married about glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The not interfere, come what may. You understand?" of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely directors have had misgivings upon the subject." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "You have but to name it." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a pressing in one house as in another. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself papers on the sundial.'" with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "Very well, sir. And this stone?" his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Certainly." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch perplexity from it to my illustrious client. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "But your client--" "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off acted in my house last night?" hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "You think that he is dead?" he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted there in twenty minutes." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he pound a week." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, to his chemical studies. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and other means.' suddenly upon us." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And