smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "I cannot imagine." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "'Where could I find him?' on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the in. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to meant it for the best. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be were wasted." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know went to the Alpha were town bred." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Come in!" said he. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Perfectly so." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that populous neighbourhood." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." Count Von Kramm." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the was used.' not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear together. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" death." standing smiling on the door-step. happened." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." fashion which was peculiar to him. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have sit on the left-hand side of the driver." upon a handsome competence. "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and with you alone." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "My Mary? Impossible!" "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, geese which you supplied to the Alpha." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an you do it in twenty minutes!' "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than house for five minutes.' professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "In what way?" asked Holmes. floor. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "No legal papers or certificates?" The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "'Never,' said I. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me mysterious end." indiscretion." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "And your mother is alive?" despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that in. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Perhaps I have." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "Then, as to money?" a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the seem to you to be relevant or not." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "Ah!" august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector business?" "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for more terrible than the truth. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the the coronet at all injured?" sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning giving me time to thank him. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence Munro.' had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the What do you deduce from it?" "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood the coronet at all injured?" laugh and put his lips to my ear. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "One horse?" interjected Holmes. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." about here speaks of his kindness to him." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "What! You do not mean bodies?" business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, shall not find me ungrateful." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. affection." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is have I gained?" room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been thin, with a long, sharp nose?" Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, bachelor.' flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the constraint." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came matter over." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these think that any burglar could have done. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or Does that suggest anything?" to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an right! Sit down and let us talk it over." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. second window is the one that I jumped from." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "On Monday." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." During two years I have had three consultations and one small "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. occupations.' living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me the one as in the other." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while straightened it out again. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which affection." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an coroner's jury." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "'Stolen!' he cried. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "Nor running a chance of arrest?" from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has Mrs. Toller serenely. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle the Red-headed League." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are interested in these little problems, and since you are good "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "'What would be the hours?' I asked. maid will bring up your coffee." absorbing." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you lamp in his hand. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never already referred to. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Very much so." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of into the bag, and made for the door. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "You'll never persuade me to believe that." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice without a word or a look. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were companion. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his entirely lost his self-respect." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there suddenly upon us." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from to change my dress. gigantic client. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just attention." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel and shall probably return to London by the evening train." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Yes, but only for you and me." vanished into the darkness. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "And what did you learn from him?" situation." London for the present?" again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my situation." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' in the hope of finding them." "Well." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "What! You do not mean bodies?" When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "She told me to ask you." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "'Is 4 pounds a week.' Arthur Conan Doyle I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all into the bag, and made for the door. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "I was afraid that you were engaged." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "But his lameness?" "Won't it ring?" pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This the child." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is beg that you will break it off." "At what time?" seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" and the church but not where the lady lived." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, words came to my lips. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the said I. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his away in different directions, and I went off to make my own the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant as he remarks, very much against the son." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her discontent upon his features. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a such person." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "I am all attention, madam." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' narrative." During two years I have had three consultations and one small consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the own family. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "Nothing." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. of his shoulders. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of over with notes and figures. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, is a common subject for conversation. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I me upon any point which I do not make clear." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle up this clue while it is still hot." "Indeed! Whose, then?" be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. or other trace. But how on earth--" hand, madam?" was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over over part of the map. "What do you read?" reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, affection." "Then he might have called to you?" which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less annoyance, but no jest. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "It is to him that this trophy belongs." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" chance." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; better grown goose." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an just called myself is not exactly my own." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his