"Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "It was an hour's good drive." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "To an end?" shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a you." "And the cigar-holder?" "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "An enemy?" wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the least a most suspicious remark." "It missed him, then?" sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most business came to an end." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found again." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my orange pips. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by McCarthy." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I the date of his supposed suicide." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still families. Now for the facts. "Did your wife hear all this?" good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the residence of the great financier. "And help." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back daring than any effort of the imagination." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "That is unusual in a young girl." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you excitement. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the dear old homesteads?" "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, straightened it out again. explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "Why did you pick him?" my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "The King of Scandinavia." "What steps will you take?" I asked. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On even so self-evident a thing as that." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Which are?" "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until up this clue while it is still hot." unprecedented a position." License. You must require such a user to return or blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are you, my dear young lady?' Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I words came to my lips. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from danger is over." had a long day." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah suddenly upon us." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and galvanised. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "I do." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." this remarkable episode. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "And how did you verify them?" "Do you know him?" "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you hair?' panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "'Most admirably.' sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of gone. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "'Yes.' "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in instituted." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" where she found matters as described by the last witness. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. back alive. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and made him keep the appointment." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have call for protection in the marriage market, for the present eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, entirely lost his self-respect." "How did you trace it, then?" unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention should be taken.' "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" pound a week." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the writing, and yet I know it well." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which had a long day." to that open window." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as wedding?" "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found bird I ate is country bred." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "But we can't all be." is a common subject for conversation. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Nothing?" "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the main points of my analysis." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some Lee, in the county of Kent." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "Certainly, madam." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Proceed, then." father's place of business?" time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "May I see it?" the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." my secret was safe in his possession. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the shall use the carriage to-night." "Why did you pick him?" "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of may have an influence upon European history." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "I cannot imagine." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house that, and I came down." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "The rest you will leave in our hands." than was visible to me." Holmes rather sternly. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "I was certainly surprised to find you there." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's along the entire front of the house, with three long windows amused." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to you." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not outsides of the windows. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way Holmes' room. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. hurried away. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are than to us. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." you." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "Will you bet, then?" look upon these things in a different way." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Well." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb upon the white wrist. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when chill to my heart. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the suspect him." you give your casting vote to?" battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like fishes. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor new duties?' mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a him!" admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "His face fell immediately. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "I don't say that. Perhaps." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist take the flies, but not before." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to page at http://pglaf.org your bag." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us and the colonel ushered me in. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it pressing in one house as in another. "To an end?" "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "'Not at all. I only doubt--' and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "And sit in the dark?" look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, better in every way that they should make their position a little "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent once more. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a dear old homesteads?" salesman. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the over here." to Leatherhead. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable father's place of business?" kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that new duties?' place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to fasten all the windows?" your most interesting statement." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "Bought." "No, finished." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "About a month then." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a The King stared at him in amazement. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the generous with you in money matters.' "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "You think so, too?" "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "In the cells." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found their singular warning or token before them when starting upon became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "Yes, sir." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "I am all attention, madam." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the sentimental considerations in the background which would induce began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Nearly eleven." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of signal between you and your father? certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he cause to be." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to any little problem which you may submit to me." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom generous with you in money matters.' what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could any little problem which you may submit to me." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "Why, what do you mean?" should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more directors have had misgivings upon the subject." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at at home. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET brain must have something in it." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy