the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my I shall continue with my miserable story. while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "But you would not advise me to refuse?" since then to throw any light upon what became of him." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. II. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me should be taken.' low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "To an end?" "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "I should be immensely obliged to you." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing retorted upon me, and I on you." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "He disappeared so suddenly." "But it has twice been burgled." "Perfectly so." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, business matters.' obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Certainly." giving me time to thank him. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Yes." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, must be when I saw the door open.' "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would words came to my lips. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Then you may be so with me." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left been shamefully used." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "She walked into the breakfast-room." and your relations to her." one else, I think." in one or two places in England?' "I am in hopes that she does." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "One of his hands." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much take the flies, but not before." "Never." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back the bottom.' this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your said I. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Where, indeed?" vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which Holmes' face clouded over. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached call for protection in the marriage market, for the present there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "My own seal." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a him to be an active member of the medical profession." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "Yes, the wine-cellar." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "'What then?' I asked. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "Could he throw no light?" Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself residence of the great financier. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining joking. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one suddenly upon us." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable that I am arrested." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "She told me to ask you." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure DAMAGE. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. this unhappy family?" When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to there in twenty minutes." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of than to us. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. wife's character?" explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. present." man. questionable one." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with the stable lane now." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "I would give my fortune to have them back." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Witness: It was. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen late." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him it were putty." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." too. which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "It is true that I have been generally successful." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's there has been an enclosure here!" suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight said he at last. any more." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." extraordinary contortions. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the page at http://pglaf.org if I call to-morrow?" this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord hurried away. in the hope of finding them." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the visitors." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Yes." ashen face. not personally threatened." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "His face fell immediately. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all point our research must commence, and we will begin it by Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive had a long day." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "'Where to?' "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in up this clue while it is still hot." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "I should be immensely obliged to you." done what I asked you, Jones?" indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" hair?' "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "The best possible." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in narrative." secret." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "In answer to an advertisement." Miss Holder?" the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it the Red-headed League." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with telegram would bring me down to your help." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the behind me. "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Game for a morning drive?" formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a know all about it," he snarled. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his neither fascinating nor artistic." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself hand, madam?" I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but and a shock of very red hair. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the details." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A one or two very singular points about this room. For example, it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could the station." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "Did you observe the colour?" steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid to-night." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "That also I could fathom." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that bonnet, and went out." "'Yes, sir.' There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are of his shoulders. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, that threaten you." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my the morning and make my own way in the world.' protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "No, thank goodness, she did not." carpenter." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices in one or two places in England?' X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR pierced for earrings?" papers diligently of late, have you not?" "I assure you that I am in your hands." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling simple cases which are so extremely difficult." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and bill, which interests me deeply." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the wedding?" in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to daring than any effort of the imagination." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything the devil!" "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "Has he come with you to-night?" despair." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with charged with?" "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "If so, much may have happened between." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "It is half-past ten now." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I easy-going way." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There and your relations to her." "'Yes, I promise.' "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train gigantic client. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back sufficient punishment." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of very peculiar words of the dying woman?" contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "A client, then?" "The doctor?" together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is be best to do. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "'I am sure that I do not know.' "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you address. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "'I have heard so.' observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I it. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "It missed him, then?" down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "'Tell me all about it,' said I. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let behind me. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in it." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in intrusion of other matters." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by notes," he said. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, been shamefully used." "What then?" fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, leaning back in his chair. constraint." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "What will you say?" despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those to his chemical studies. newspaper selections." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the desk. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the is now desirous of getting those letters back." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "In heaven's name, what for?" "Holmes, the busybody!" all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and figure." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the light and attacked it." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "Get out!" said he. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her tapping his fingers upon the table. Stoke Moran." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too