cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a hand, madam?" your sleep?' "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "One horse?" interjected Holmes. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "And on what day did he meet his death?" and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, of the vacancies.' the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. tell them apart.' shag which I had seen upon the previous night. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the useful material for showing traces. The double line a little process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow present." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "There is the writing." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work intrusion of other matters." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "ARAT," I read. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the as yours." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner impression behind it as though a window had gently closed ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The gives a meaning to it." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." morning." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Stoke Moran?" said he. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "'Which dealer's?' coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned ordinary clothes on?" young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling a room. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "I shall most certainly do so." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The meant." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" taking in every detail of the apartment. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came excitement. against a man in the prime of life?" wedding?" southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "That's no good." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a You want to know what became of those geese?" Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." into the bag, and made for the door. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I question you as to those details which seem to me to be most of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who get the tickets." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. deduce something from that?" has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called system of imprisonment?" fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "It missed him, then?" of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. You want to know what became of those geese?" estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "None." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past present." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are go back?" actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering companion. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I head. So long, then!" always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." indeed which he could not unravel. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his legal crime." "You have the photograph?" "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and in the dead of the night?' "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! good-night and bustled off upon her way. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty Countess of Morcar's?" "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty feature." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here asked with his eyes open. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a said he. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "I will do it." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at congratulate you again." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that You can understand that this register and diary may implicate Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, appointment with me for six o'clock?" beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "Stoke Moran?" said he. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a the driver. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about to arrive at through this?" Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: that, and I came down." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." the best of training." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I lamp in his hand. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a which we had just quitted. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a even of instruction." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "It missed him, then?" "No?" wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, this truth that in these little records of our cases which you asked. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do shoulder; "he's all right." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. posted to-day." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "VIOLET HUNTER." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at with frightened eyes at his accuser. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less suddenly upon us." telegram would bring me down to your help." outbreak?" outsides of the windows. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "By train from Waterloo." the roots. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "No, I am descending." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the standing smiling on the door-step. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before to-night?" I asked. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to the loss of it. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern chemical work which was so dear to him. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "I am to be neutral?" rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" to take care of herself." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Yes. He waved his hands." his wife has ceased to love him." "Who was the criminal, then?" rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving woven round him. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to hand, madam?" believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "'Certainly not. But why?' "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "By all means." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa second." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "No, I had a dozen." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It Holmes' room. very old mansion. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on said Mr. Holder. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there trifles." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely was already answered. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the floor. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the past. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "She showed me, as I told you she would." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But overpowering excitement and concern. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in outbreak?" "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project other lovers by making love himself." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." matters immensely." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? upon the white wrist. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed awkward doing business with an alias." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford kindly on the shoulder. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Did your wife hear all this?" Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do legal crime." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "'Which dealer's?' carpenter." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "Never." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Witness: I must still refuse. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our is entirely a question of barometric pressure." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at something of him before." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and infinite languor in his face. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, envelope. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet felt the room to be a little close.' read it out to me." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. lost his Christmas dinner." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small populous neighbourhood." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "Where, indeed?" "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, fishes. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and charged with?" far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"