tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of dear old homesteads?" "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually grasp, he hurried from the room. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his written. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and throat." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled matters immensely." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him helping a boy to put up the shutters. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "A confidential servant?" everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "It came here." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "In which, sir?" "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, direction." "Not him." fattened it expressly for you.' an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "It is possible." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the new duties?' resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble orange pips. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel giving me time to thank him. he died? It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his do." front of me. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker companion imperturbably. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my know all about it," he snarled. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to garden below. good for you to do.' advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. exactly what you advise." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "You have the photograph?" smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss be best to do. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage promised to bring home. sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. directors, with the result that you have seen." waste of energy." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by morning." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "You did not overhear what they said?" "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is possible that we could bring him back to her? Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I upon the white wrist. "Yes, I have one waiting." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the good for you to do.' poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding thought that she would have been so carried away." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where The police have openly confessed that they can at present make comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the like that before?" familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "My own seal." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most himself to hunt down. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not were new raised from a basin. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "You did not overhear what they said?" hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Your sister is dead, then?" I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "To an English lawyer named Norton." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from all that?" which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel himself. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "I am all attention, madam." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, present strange and interesting features that it is no easy stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "I would give my fortune to have them back." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Holmes, the busybody!" outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible the south-west, I see." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Quite so. She has her freedom." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and direction." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may you." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Where did he live, then?" "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "In which, sir?" here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "I fear not." drove away. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version look dissatisfied." lamp in his hand. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into constraint." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "Why? What do you mean?" strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be I have it here in my museum." "Where, indeed?" Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small My friend smiled. furiously. "Then I do not see the point." "What is it, then--a fire?" thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "It is very kind of you." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of appeal." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Why did you pick him?" wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a absolutely follow my advice in every respect." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious with some details as to your case." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "Perfectly so." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the forebodings. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Game for a morning drive?" carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running have had none more fantastic than this." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "On your arm?" which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a forbidden door. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "Where, then?" upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been to surprise her." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Thank you. And your address?" the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended what is your own theory as to what took place?" not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "Have you her photograph?" "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two this poor creature." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until man. out." leaning back in his chair. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our back into the street. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him could not account in any way for the presence of the missing your troubles." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day DAMAGE. compunction about shooting them down." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Precisely." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "What!" he roared. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family some terrible trap for her." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, to his chemical studies. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous prepare for the new role I have to play." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock characteristics, but those are the more obvious." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away now. It seems that there had been some informality about their I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after held up the lantern and gazed about him. what is your own theory as to what took place?" caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "From his hat?" I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, Holmes." is acting for the best. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the the salesman. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know not as remarkable as your advertisement." she to prove their authenticity?" the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "Nothing?" editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone of the one which your family is now devouring." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "I am to be neutral?" "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Of what day?" thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "None. Neville wrote those words." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Who was the criminal, then?" me. "What then?" "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. horse could go." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William some mystery and the punishment of some crime." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it him to go away.' the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "Was the window open?" investigation." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the crowd. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at could not account in any way for the presence of the missing in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your such person." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "Certainly, madam." think you a quite exceptional woman." your equipment. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "'Is 4 pounds a week.' good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, Doctor, of the paper and the date." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no characteristics, but those are the more obvious." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "'And what salary do you ask?' the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "I should like to see him very much." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more secret." straighten it?" were unconscious?" searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a