home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just one of them." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Yes, it would be as well." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Eh? What was that?" although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a the tragedy. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "'Not at all. I only doubt--' skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went Farm upon the left." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "None." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "Awake, Watson?" he asked. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my nice household for a young lady." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "Won't it ring?" everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "No, I had a dozen." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the chair. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down if she died from some sudden fright." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Then how many are there?" rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Yes, but only for you and me." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the following enigmatical notices: an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have views." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "He is dead," cried several voices. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Do you know him?" The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "I am in hopes that she does." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "Were they all fastened this morning?" how narrow had been my escape. "Oh, yes, easily." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, carried out of court." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in something of him before." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Certainly." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he the inquest, and which are worth considering." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more Miss Holder?" "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was the Assizes." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? whereabouts. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch is now desirous of getting those letters back." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His his face which made him a very different person to the round, delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who colonel looking down at me. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock that I may have something better before very many minutes are in him." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "And why?" behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been been deceived." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "And your father? Did you tell him?" "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker stalked out of the room. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several simple cases which are so extremely difficult." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the you give your casting vote to?" way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. http://gutenberg.net/license). "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt me, and I could not think that his explanation of the the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight there is a decided draught." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in where she found matters as described by the last witness. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. suddenly upon us." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "No, thank goodness, she did not." death." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the your co-operation." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last Mrs. Toller serenely. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until highly," said Holmes. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." he died? Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the back alive. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so persecution?" stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of American. Then who could this American be, and why should he their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "At the wedding breakfast." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "I fear not." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to down in his armchair and closing his eyes. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking open." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Dr. Becher's." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found instincts rose up against that laugh. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very allusion to a rat. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and and put his glass in his pocket. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "What do you mean?" matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my III. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "Always." way in." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a new duties?' young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your so.' He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. Lee, in the county of Kent." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked vault. breakfast?" to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will Sutherland?" gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as to me. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of you came in." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest 1.E.9. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' like gravel from a pit.' "I was mad--insane." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "And Irene Adler?" either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to cigars in their mouths. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing is entirely a question of barometric pressure." dear old homesteads?" lips." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might cigars in the box." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to highroad, where all traces were lost. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Nothing?" works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg you in your example." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "The Cedars?" I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Very. But will he see it?" his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "In San Francisco, a year ago." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with had a long day." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "Not yet." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the if only as a check to my own memory." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I affair. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted over his head with a sweet womanly caress. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "What will you say?" my secret was safe in his possession. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "But she will refuse." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "The vanishing of the lady." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking whatever might befall. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of been." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. II. "Where is it, then?" towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "What shall I do?" suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another hour?' A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "No?" made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon your only hope of safety." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they not, dad?" she asked. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "I say that I have solved it." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your national property. I was determined that the law should have its even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself was the fact that his father should, according to his account, run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. wedding?" "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's mystery." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of in him." corner of the building. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? were wasted." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat it were putty." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself not use it unless it is absolutely needed." narrative." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up stepfather?" Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "You have compromised yourself seriously." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "How can you tell that?" "'In my own bureau.' glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the gbnewby@pglaf.org "I have solved it." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, carriage. It was a chestnut." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "I was sure that I might rely on you." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' showing my impatience. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "I saw her in conversation with her maid." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "Yes, they were peculiar boots." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with business." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to strong and stiff."