laugh and put his lips to my ear. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the and have this put in the evening papers." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "She will not sell." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and wanted for ourselves." that "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in information in his hands the value of which he did not himself places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a new duties?' practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my have accepted such a situation. appeared upon the scene." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his dear old homesteads?" "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he said I. "None." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in you." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with figure." head. So long, then!" Gutenberg-tm License. "What do you make of that, Watson?" an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the leave you to your papers for a little." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my it. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it and your relations to her." "A call for help, you thought?" were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was you in yours." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Did you observe the colour?" "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding you." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." asked with his eyes open. said he. had picked up in the wood. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" *** START: FULL LICENSE *** Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the there was no need for father to know." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in me upon any point which I do not make clear." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for little adventures." "'And the work?' to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "I cannot say that I have." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Of what day?" "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that had a long day." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project shoulder. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong cause to be." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "I am all attention, madam." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "What then?" side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the walking." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, your most interesting statement." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each troubles have been weighing upon his mind. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk if she died from some sudden fright." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too as noiselessly as she had come. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "I see no marks." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' The note was undated, and without either signature or address. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said chill to my heart. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Perhaps I have." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I conclusions. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." had died away into the silence from which it rose. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I have one." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "'I am sure that I do not know.' "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, beg that you will break it off." through." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, interested in these little problems, and since you are good wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid people don't know." danger is over." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the to arrive at through this?" with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "Entirely." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock him and tried to hold him back. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "What steps will you take?" I asked. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that Sutherland?" have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence few hundred pounds.' really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "And how did he make his money?" narrative." past. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" becomes even more simple." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from the salesman. instincts rose up against that laugh. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "It is true that I have been generally successful." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into been lifted and conveyed somewhere." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned strange features which were associated with the two crimes which of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "What then?" widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, thought that she would have been so carried away." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my coroner's jury." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every best detective that ever lived. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as case before our client came into the room." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled Holmes' thin, eager face. his face. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and so far?" he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an politicians who had been sent down from the North. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out considering the formidable letters which were received by himself the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The point in the dark hollow of his hand. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an ourselves in the office." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this him. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "So it appears." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "You heard nothing yourself last night?" blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "In what way?" asked Holmes. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "In what way?" asked Holmes. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of strength in the others." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with lips." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Yes." taking in every detail of the apartment. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I strong and stiff." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly and put his glass in his pocket. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of there is a decided draught." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded business in the City. She little knew what. individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "And your father? Did you tell him?" that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek weary and pale-looking. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. conclusions. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if be best to do. burst out into a roar of laughter. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, whole matter to your consideration." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "It surprised me." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Very well, sir. And this stone?" from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was for the market.' who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced companion. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "And how in the world did you find them?" mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "Not social, then?" work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a children over to America with him, so that I found myself without this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, and the whole place is in a blaze." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "Did your wife hear all this?" enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: never will be, entirely cleared up. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is the very letters. But what is this written above them?' eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up them?" glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "You will not go there first?" but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' During two years I have had three consultations and one small John Swain, of St. Augustine. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "We must have a cab." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "And that is--" "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "She showed me, as I told you she would." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "I was sure that I might rely on you." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of certainly do as you advise." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." the very morning of the wedding." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the place, I think that there is good ground to think that the the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman Arthur Conan Doyle was shining brightly. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are you?' lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend vanished into the darkness. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling hour?' jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by that "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to be.' narrative." there is a decided draught." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his certainly do as you advise." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman away in different directions, and I went off to make my own enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two that in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the one of the states of the Union." "Will you bet, then?" "Was he the only applicant?" new acquaintance to Baker Street. unkempt, staring out at me. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you attention." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the points to suicide?" case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You it were putty." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "And what then?" are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in character. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "No, I think that I'll take it." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "'Never.' where we are going." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered invisible to me," I remarked. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That what is your own theory as to what took place?" police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, present strange and interesting features that it is no easy