horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Very murderous indeed." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the to take care of herself." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "I assure you that I am in your hands." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in narrative." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me shoulder. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss this Miss Turner." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be made him keep the appointment." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." wedding?" had died away into the silence from which it rose. "At the wedding breakfast." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "But what will you do?" obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Of Friday, June 19th." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, be. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "By all means." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw be there in time for your coming." Holmes." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name later, upon the night of May 2nd." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us of note-paper. It read in this fashion: is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, was a perfect sample of the class. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Tired-looking or fresh?" answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. into the room. "The knees of his trousers." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "It is very kind of you." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "This concluded the examination of the witness." father's place of business?" after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be careless servant girl?" but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him there was no need for father to know." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a she has been waylaid. There has been no result." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Really! You surprise me." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a such person." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we to take care of herself." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was think that any burglar could have done. grasp, he hurried from the room. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in chance." "Then you may entirely rely on me." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in chill to my heart. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was he. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? the side-table." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me exactly what you advise." six. Come in!" was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Then I can wait in the next room." outsides of the windows. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary You can understand that this register and diary may implicate would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Then I shall certainly come." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of My friend smiled. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "You think that he is dead?" the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Do you know him?" from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless it right.' he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "Murdered?" the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' purpose of examination. page at http://pglaf.org It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and copied or distributed: me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Yes, all." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be of receipt of the work. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the points to suicide?" like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "Perfectly so." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to whether it answered to the description of any of their not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "He slept on the premises." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "'You doubt its value?' he asked. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." one of the states of the Union." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "You have compromised yourself seriously." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "'Where to?' It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted do." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." roused himself from his reverie. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. be best to do. "And how did you verify them?" learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "Well, but China?" "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" attention." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and compunction about shooting them down." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "He is still with you, I presume?" Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR as the one I chose?' "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not been deceived." "It is a murder, then?" glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "'You doubt its value?' he asked. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the Pool. bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint before the coroner and the police-court." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have that before taking the final step I should like to submit the of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." Holmes rather sternly. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "I don't believe it." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news conceal it?" That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know like that before?" side. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually him!" this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to security.' was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. better in every way that they should make their position a little "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that comes from the middle window." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "But how?" "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "You horrify me." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "Nothing." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the is four-and-twenty." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Here?" Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. weighed down with some great anxiety. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his hereditary King of Bohemia." quick march!" their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked your most interesting statement." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There several quiet little villages up there." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could shall use the carriage to-night." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "Ha! you find it so?" as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the me, and I could not think that his explanation of the wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." just ask you whether you had heard it.' alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Stolen." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door individual and becomes the badge of a society." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw business came to an end." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one singular points about the case. What did the police think of the The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "And when will you call?" "I cannot tell." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in Surrey." "And now?" He raised his hand. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Have you it here?" 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There presume?" "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. but preventing her from injuring another. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "What! You do not mean bodies?" other means.' letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles orange pips. there when the Rucastles went away." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it troubles have been weighing upon his mind. his fortune, and I went back to pa. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' sake, don't!" signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King national property. I was determined that the law should have its in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is and wait." in his power. details." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue Edgeware Road. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a presume?" of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "I should be immensely obliged to you." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "This concluded the examination of the witness." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and wanted for ourselves." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "That's no good." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, never will be, entirely cleared up. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification as yours." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "What I expected to see." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting his cane at the bell-pull. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, room?" Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should if only as a check to my own memory." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "And you can do nothing until then?" you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is row." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has kind enough to tell me what I should do." I am not easy in my mind about them." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this Mary, has deserted me." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the undoubtedly my uncle's." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my then?" it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' to a more successful conclusion." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "'How far from the body?' "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would definite end. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was ran thus: "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have Holmes' face clouded over. straightened it out again. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the gone.