my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. laugh and put his lips to my ear. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms happened." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "And I to find an enemy." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all was lame." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so Pope's Court. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an second." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a the house with me." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on relation between them, and what the object of his repeated contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with questioning and rather startled gaze. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, not as remarkable as your advertisement." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "What office?" "Not I." "'Entirely.' best detective that ever lived. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "You are hungry," I remarked. direction." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Yes?" finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "Certainly." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every daring than any effort of the imagination." very morning of my second wedding." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot together. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived never to learn it at all." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, You can understand that this register and diary may implicate it means?" the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned subject to the trademark license, especially commercial Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But his huge brown hands. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "My own seal." address. kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the forebodings. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' stepfather?" "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "Did he not advertise?" tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and least a fellow-countryman. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a night.' said he. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET persecution?" and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin fear." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me I was concerned in it." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "'Yes, sir.' liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "I saw her in conversation with her maid." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "'Ample.' to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked should be so warm over such a trifle." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Dark enough and sinister enough." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying seven miles from Eyford Station.' I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, ill-usage at the hands of fortune. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "I say it is." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you without a word or a look. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of corner of the building. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other prison!" "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "It is possible." whole matter to your consideration." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little the bottom.' character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' that I am arrested." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to was lame." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the during that time.' From what you have told me I think that it is possible that I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Was your sister dressed?" child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "But what is it you wish?" "Imitated." "But what will you do?" our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and yet." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the before, for it was considerably after midnight. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the since then to throw any light upon what became of him." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "But he might be a bachelor." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle character. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how little trying to do so much typewriting?" "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off His smile broadened. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "I will get her to show me." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "And why?" very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian interest. They are important, you understand, without being 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "It is possible." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "A call for help, you thought?" over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which three fields round his house, and there he would take his over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I criminal. We have already had experience of such." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I mysterious end." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. assist you in forming an opinion." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "Just look it up, then." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" I was concerned in it." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet companion. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "I see no marks." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Yes." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, lamp in his hand. sake, don't!" Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in corner of the building. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in companion imperturbably. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "I saw her in conversation with her maid." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with will not take me long to tell. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the impression behind it as though a window had gently closed ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "How often?" breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some that you can jump it.' father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a there is a decided draught." outbreak?" She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. breakfast?" be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Which surely he restored to their owner?" begin with, and I had not got mine yet." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. washing it down with a long draught of water. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such to Leatherhead. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any not use it unless it is absolutely needed." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he was lame." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" empty. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every nights." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "Dirty?" heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. was lame." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from putting in the horse. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at Does that suggest anything?" of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken as he folded up the epistle. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case that Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "I have seen the police." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, ago." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it ways of our fellow-men." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "'Then let me do so?' Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "Never." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up later, upon the night of May 2nd." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that least a most suspicious remark." "Never." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture a monotonous occupation." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole what these perils are?" "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the would apply.' "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "He said that you could solve anything." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "How did that help you?" hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person interests were the same as his." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "And leave your case unfinished?" without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last congenial hunt. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, silent! Oh, he will be silent!' beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Could he throw no light?" total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. official police." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is danger is over." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my least a fellow-countryman. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "9th. McCauley cleared. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not himself. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "That was it, sir." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." important." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "But I am all in the dark." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain himself to tell his story. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the peculiar to him. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a disappearance of the bride.'" uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the way in." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to