the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." and laid it on the table. "What of the rat, then?" away in different directions, and I went off to make my own she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my fashion which was peculiar to him. his cane at the bell-pull. four million human beings all jostling each other within the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you the armchair which I pushed forward for him. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's are, and they are waiting for us." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "'Why that?' I asks. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw of campaign. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a the warnings." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "And leave your case unfinished?" new acquaintance to Baker Street. up this clue while it is still hot." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when house for five minutes.' things are very often connected not with the larger but with the erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "No, my brougham is waiting." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "What! a murderous attack?" snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "Yes, he did." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his your co-operation." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "You did not overhear what they said?" "You are all wrong." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes nothing with him." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never to affect your life." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "This concluded the examination of the witness." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord matter." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced plantation.' your own bird, so if you wish--" matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those answer." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a character. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do me upon any point which I do not make clear." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "That is it on the dressing-table." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "'I am sure if I had known--' and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an extraordinary contortions. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "I should be immensely obliged to you." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" indeed happy." then?" formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "What is it?" we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the time." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "It is no ordinary one." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked you." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, which our visitor detailed to us. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with way in." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "None." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." never came back." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "I have hopes." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let the inquest, and which are worth considering." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get had this final quarrel? young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the then?" "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. my former friend and companion. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "Did you observe the colour?" I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of following enigmatical notices: finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was to a more successful conclusion." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such golden eyeglasses. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four instituted." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the morning." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "'About the same.' "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "Then what has happened to him?" "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "Yes." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was one's self under obligations.' "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with there is a decided draught." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "'Ample.' was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was digesting their breakfasts at home." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in will be renamed. remarked. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend voice, changing her seat as requested. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only Lee, in the county of Kent." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "The King of Scandinavia." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel that you saw all that I did." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can hurried by. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same seen the man in the road." "Nearly eleven." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." not as remarkable as your advertisement." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have at home. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was noting anything else of interest. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some that he will be back before evening." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "And how have you succeeded?" police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "'What are you doing there?' he asked. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the hard-headed British jury." colonel looking down at me. "Then he might have called to you?" deduce something from that?" on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so For additional contact information: "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." in this way: and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a electronic works "How did that help you?" compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before The summons was a brief and urgent one. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is husband's writing, madam." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. You want to know what became of those geese?" as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he desk. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an sooner or later she must fall a victim. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring about. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on overpowering excitement and concern. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the his face. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon weary and pale-looking. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been call it cruel." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "You are certainly joking, Holmes." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton suspect him." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight strange features which were associated with the two crimes which with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it forecastle of an emigrant ship. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent lost nothing by them." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "'It is locked up,' I answered. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "VIOLET HUNTER." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, the King without delay." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "An accident, I presume?" "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, then?" "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in at home. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Stoke Moran?" said he. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "You don't mind breaking the law?" spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the were wasted." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official the one as in the other." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but him to go away.' "And on what day did he meet his death?" "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the the window, rose as we entered. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did carpenter." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "The doctor?" "What! You do not mean bodies?" what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "None." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' thirty. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "One of his hands." "Do you go out much in society?" on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands look upon these things in a different way." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "It was a confession," I ejaculated. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his http://gutenberg.net/license). "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this in my life." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking mysterious business." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of I have it here in my museum." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to there is a decided draught." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that will be renamed. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "'Is purely nominal.' instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and records." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said tension within him. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked the armchair which I pushed forward for him. of campaign. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "Your sister is dead, then?" varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "What, then, did Peterson do?" livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed for the market.' the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his vanished into the darkness. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own was once confined in the cab my mission was practically Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a I took the paper from him and read as follows: the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As goes." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped him to be an active member of the medical profession." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with could not account in any way for the presence of the missing fait accompli?" lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him wedding?" and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is residence of the great financier. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better business." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), http://www.gutenberg.net "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than the bottom.' states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable