plantation.' careless servant girl?" wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "Here?" down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "And why?" not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our the coroner come to?" edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Why did you pick him?" zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "My dear Holmes!" round and wave him away like that.' "Pray tell us what has happened to you." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the Miss Holder?" I took the paper from him and read as follows: as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite himself to hunt down. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. do you make of it all?" A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at to have that photograph." The summons was a brief and urgent one. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "'Not at all. I only doubt--' gone before you can get him to hospital." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I country, and eventually married, without anyone having a so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in there was no need for father to know." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was official police." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may few hundred pounds.' "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, there has been an enclosure here!" "'Certainly,' I answered. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." nothing of it?" This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "What do you mean?" with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "No legal papers or certificates?" afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "I shall be delighted." room?" a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "I saw her in conversation with her maid." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as down from London to inquire more deeply into it." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers against a man in the prime of life?" least a fellow-countryman. whether it answered to the description of any of their "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it it." evidence," I remarked. "I cannot say that I have." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. nights." "What will you do, then?" the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "If I can be of use." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice back to my heart. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Where, then, is my wife?" her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the made him keep the appointment." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single congenial hunt. "But I have heard all that you have heard." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the some water from a caraffe. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "It is possible." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "That was it, sir." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "You are all wrong." coroner's jury." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Then the page we have seen--" "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed direction." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip it means?" Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in business came to an end." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Certainly." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a of the efforts of the United States government and of the better o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a conceal it?" "We have tried and failed." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "Yes. He waved his hands." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is late!' "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and away to you." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. them?" this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" one of them." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to and looked back. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. weighed down with some great anxiety. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, and your relations to her." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the father's young wife. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of strength in the others." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It be best to do. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional cost them two and thirty pounds." "At what time?" which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who John Swain, of St. Augustine. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock For additional contact information: impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly to tackle the facts." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch DISSOLVED. Doctor, of the paper and the date." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and the so-precious time, but come!' Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most goes." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "I fear not." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. quite distinctive." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, and no precautions can guard against." kindly on the shoulder. locked." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, examine." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the should be taken.' "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set future lives." with you?" father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Yes, all." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "Upon what point?" five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Where, indeed?" "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the strength." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back could gather together that I was able to avert another public "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had during that time.' "Perhaps we may make them less so." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the during that time.' his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "I think that it is very probable." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug way in everything. "Pray continue your narrative." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their minor matters until to-morrow." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Upon what point?" back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned entirely devoid of interest." gives a meaning to it." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' should be so warm over such a trifle." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a attention." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged whether it answered to the description of any of their hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In maid will bring up your coffee." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora cigars in their mouths. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream an introduction to him?" peculiar to him. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Your sister is dead, then?" not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "'And the work?' hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and his forehead." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Perfectly so." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "How can you tell that?" very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. your bag." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. British peeress.'" thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "His face fell immediately. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon the bottom.' "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare throat." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She too. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away flock.' down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler noting anything else of interest. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "I have seen the police." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "And Irene Adler?" Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "I am in hopes that she does." be best to do. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do that I may have something better before very many minutes are but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" directly by questioning you." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most was keenly on my guard against him. someone who had been in Australia." our word." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main been deceived." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "But what harm can there be in that?" safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both sit on the left-hand side of the driver." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a vanished into the darkness. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or morning." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "To ruin me." several quiet little villages up there." "An accident, I presume?" to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private very old mansion. never will be, entirely cleared up. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as village inn over there?" reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his such attractions and accomplishments?' had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "What, then, did Peterson do?" information in his hands the value of which he did not himself quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main been with you?" untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it awkward doing business with an alias." chambers. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "'A dozen yards or so.' Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her obstinate." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Your presence might be invaluable." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an infinite languor in his face. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when