feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the the stable lane now." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. kindly on the shoulder. "Did you become engaged then?" "And sit in the dark?" dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "Where, then?" nothing with him." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have nothing of it?" "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some three of the beryls in it, was missing. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered fishes. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "But how?" "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "What have you to say now?" when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his about here speaks of his kindness to him." "Entirely." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it it. "Why, what do you mean?" truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the congratulate you again." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a might have a private word with us. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to highly," said Holmes. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "My own seal." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly awkward doing business with an alias." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is up this clue while it is still hot." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "'Which dealer's?' "I assure you that I am in your hands." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "'Not at all. I only doubt--' soul! here is her carriage at the door." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in the one as in the other." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "And for present expenses?" Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce your bag." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "I warn you that they are very incomplete." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the look upon these things in a different way." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "One of his hands." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "The gentleman I describe." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "An enemy?" All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, heavy and sharp instrument." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." villagers almost as much as their master. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "I am about to be married." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened the coronet in his hands?" Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Witness: Nothing definite. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You is now desirous of getting those letters back." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "But his left-handedness." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the eavesdroppers?' side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were back into the street. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and showing my impatience. "I have come for advice." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of himself in a perplexing position. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "And did you observe any change in her then?" as the one I chose?' considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I knowledge of the world." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Certainly." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your the window, rose as we entered. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man laugh and put his lips to my ear. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old if I call to-morrow?" succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than This is what he says: "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Come in!" said he. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "Yes." "'It is locked up,' I answered. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "'It is locked up,' I answered. to-morrow." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was sooner or later she must fall a victim. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." which it had come upon my father." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Of Friday, June 19th." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "I should be immensely obliged to you." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "You have compromised yourself seriously." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" like that before?" 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" from the brougham. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "A greater distance to travel." "Never." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "I don't believe it." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to his face which made him a very different person to the round, "'I am sure if I had known--' "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked since then to throw any light upon what became of him." skylight. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform attention." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." of the vacancies.' that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "Pray let us have it, for all that." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the entirely lost his self-respect." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me in his hands." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "I was mad--insane." disappearance of these gems?" felt?" Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "And the cigar-holder?" of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open look dissatisfied." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. Does that suggest anything?" "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Nothing?" II. "Your sister is dead, then?" squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "My dear Holmes!" "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no vault. with the outside air!" "And your father? Did you tell him?" mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I You want to know what became of those geese?" was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had Miss Holder?" size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. page at http://pglaf.org deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "They are typewritten," I remarked. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make hurried away. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less The King stared at him in amazement. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom wedding?" Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' public press." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Come in!" said Holmes. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "The gentleman I describe." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not and looked back. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up even so self-evident a thing as that." Project Gutenberg-tm works. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not extraordinary contortions. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as lumber-room." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "Perhaps I have." people don't know." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his handed it to him. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "I think that it is very probable." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that matter over." conceal it?" lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Your French gold?" she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on was lame." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "I beg pardon." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is Mrs. Toller serenely. to me. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, Stoke Moran." Stoke Moran." had died away into the silence from which it rose. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! that, and I came down." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over legal crime." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project brought there to personate someone, and the real person is there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. putting in the horse. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "How did he come?" sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would to-night?' "But his left-handedness." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "And now?" He raised his hand. the coroner come to?" made him keep the appointment." "She showed me, as I told you she would." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." followed. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' how narrow had been my escape. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual following enigmatical notices: "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, off." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "I will not look." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the name is different." "Here?" "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "I fear not." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four success. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, gbnewby@pglaf.org "What, then?" on some definite business. It may stop his gossip.