thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "And what did you see?" Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, humiliation." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "And the cigar-holder?" however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "But how?" feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to perplexity from it to my illustrious client. go from here to the Strand." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't the room while you explain this matter?" across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old outside." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the must compliment you." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help one which it was hard to resist. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a I. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" room. generous with you in money matters.' "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive relief. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few examination of the premises, but without finding anything which infinite languor in his face. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his unkempt, staring out at me. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the his eyes and forehead. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From tied." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own sparkled upon his finger. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "The murder was done with it." him nearly every evening." companion. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Has he come with you to-night?" against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his business?" his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told a little more before I quite committed myself. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. mystery!" myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight papers must be those that are destroyed.' been deceived." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "I cannot imagine." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said new duties?' together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "And how have you succeeded?" seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the with frightened eyes at his accuser. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father crime." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old Mrs. Toller serenely. of your young ladies.' "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There eat it." allusion to a rat. forecastle of an emigrant ship. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "But not more so than I to find you." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, for the market.' "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "No." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story public press." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "What will you do, then?" shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "And sit in the dark?" so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when note?" beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to know what is wrong with it.' LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway the Assizes." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were remarked. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind this Miss Turner." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came just ask you whether you had heard it.' "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Which surely he restored to their owner?" leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" tail." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. morning." "Of Friday, June 19th." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "Who was the criminal, then?" we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been Project Gutenberg-tm works. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, are, and they are waiting for us." you understand?" "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but tell me that you intended to go into harness." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "And what then?" "I cannot imagine." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a had died away into the silence from which it rose. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "That's no good." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the compunction about shooting them down." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "'Why that?' I asks. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "Witness: It was. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, himself to tell his story. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not father's young wife. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had business." suddenly upon us." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with gone before you can get him to hospital." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case before the coroner and the police-court." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the few hundred pounds.' I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second case before our client came into the room." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen three of the beryls in it, was missing. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Where did you address your letters, then?" the address that was given us in the advertisement. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "He is still with you, I presume?" when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may fattened it expressly for you.' huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "None." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "How did he come?" continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to The note was undated, and without either signature or address. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Yes?" of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Where, indeed?" gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking security.' "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. made him keep the appointment." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a this truth that in these little records of our cases which you been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous matter over." "'Ample.' take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET I nodded again. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." it. "What can it mean?" I gasped. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "And on what day did he meet his death?" "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "How on earth--" peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as Lestrade of Scotland Yard." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. coat-tails." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Yes, sir." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking your billet.' be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "Yes, I have one waiting." "I answered that I had not. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just directors have had misgivings upon the subject." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And your billet.' jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a fire. You quite follow me?" We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which the ceiling. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, putting in the horse. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before you?" rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" any little problem which you may submit to me." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce directors, with the result that you have seen." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate fish-monger and a tide-waiter." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "My private note-paper." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, standing smiling on the door-step. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "But what harm can there be in that?" Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "She showed me, as I told you she would." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "Yes, sir." mysterious end." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, wedding?" and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "But how could you guess what the motive was?" beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told business." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at the coronet at all injured?" revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst purpose of examination. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "And your father? Did you tell him?" value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the Holmes rather sternly. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes yourselves in at night?" walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if will find little credit to be gained out of this case." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "It is possible." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had present strange and interesting features that it is no easy believe that I should never have any practice at all. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Why, it's a dummy," said he. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to than to us. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Could he throw no light?" be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "You are all wrong." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, some city in a dream. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "I have my revolver," said I. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which and wait." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and side. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "'Yes, sir.' put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "And what then?" Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible breakfast." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Won't it ring?" "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and woman." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was Eyford." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are