"Yes, that is the Crown." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows his grey eyes. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't the matter?" was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was purpose equally well?" the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret Farm upon the left." evidence," I remarked. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey colonel looking down at me. me where it went to?" "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his other, as fresh and trim as possible. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that know all about it," he snarled. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's it? Did I buy the geese off you?" blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. papers must be those that are destroyed.' snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of come either from the window or the door. My attention was "What steps will you take?" I asked. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "And you thought he was pulled back?" The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had chair. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "On the contrary, this is the right side." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet if she died from some sudden fright." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite the child." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "It was." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "What do you mean?" for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." brandy and water within his reach. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another stood on the top of it. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "She will not sell." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk some mystery and the punishment of some crime." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "'Is 4 pounds a week.' never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Yes." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "I am armed." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "And who is her maid?" seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, Countess of Morcar's?" name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "I don't say that. Perhaps." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "She walked into the breakfast-room." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most putting in the horse. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging his knees, staring into the fire. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him nice household for a young lady." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "You have the photograph?" ago." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the him and tried to hold him back. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the I was concerned in it." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" in. "The landlord of the Alpha." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this the very morning of the wedding." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet populous neighbourhood." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I instincts rose up against that laugh. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge round with crates and massive boxes. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." for and were ordered to this address. visitors." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which was feeling which was the fattest.' push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "'Yes.' hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "But you can know nothing of this?" think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, enter into my head. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "And why in hopes?" electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "This photograph!" saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "I am sure." "None. Neville wrote those words." over part of the map. "What do you read?" and have this put in the evening papers." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "And how have you succeeded?" I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "I was mad--insane." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Awake, Watson?" he asked. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "'I am sure that I do not know.' rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly which are rolled in Rotterdam." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "He said too much." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about said I. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." derbies." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "I cannot imagine." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "I am in hopes that she does." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "But she could not love him." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that outbreak?" "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. way in." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Did your wife hear all this?" colonel looking down at me. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "One of his hands." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that bed dies. Does not that strike you?" which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "The knees of his trousers." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his least a most suspicious remark." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 light and attacked it." where she found matters as described by the last witness. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, handed it to him. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." Holmes' room. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "I cannot imagine." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, morning." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you definite end. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "Not particularly." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear face and glided from the room. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "It is no ordinary one." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "I cannot imagine." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was been able to understand it, in a very few words. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom The telegram which we eventually received came late one night either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first wife's character?" "Breckinridge is his name." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." his huge brown hands. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with been deceived." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. prison!" business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend to his chemical studies. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" man. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for here." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." the matter?" with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was may never be exposed to such a temptation." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "No." then?" postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "Nothing." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite mystery may be cleared along those lines." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding straighten it?" heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." one's self under obligations.' "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, coroner's jury." enter Dr. Roylott's room." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "My Mary? Impossible!" years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize we went to search for him, face downward in a little *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door the dangers which encompass me." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of you found me to-night--and running through the front room she The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several of a light. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Certainly, madam." His smile broadened. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too I have it here in my museum." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a get the tickets." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." ordinary clothes on?" been." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "His face fell immediately. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, Edgeware Road. acted in my house last night?" Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "'What would be the hours?' I asked. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's my special province." electronic works thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from your sleep?' the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building mystery may be cleared along those lines." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether way: burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which get her out of the way." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended populous neighbourhood." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should an introduction to him?" "Then how many are there?" can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining with you?" The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "The gentleman I describe." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH observed. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "You are all wrong." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do upon an income of about 60 pounds." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "We have tried and failed." Farm upon the left." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after recall any case within my experience which looked at the first saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." foot. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think to-night?' his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of think, you have already met." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship."