someone who had been in Australia." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw appeared upon the scene." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "What steps will you take?" I asked. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and fait accompli?" difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying fat-encircled eyes. what is your own theory as to what took place?" the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that an introduction to him?" my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich meant it for the best. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I used to be." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in friends, not even his own brother. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush telegram would bring me down to your help." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side been able to understand it, in a very few words. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" dramatic, in fact." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it companion imperturbably. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself brought there to personate someone, and the real person is buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he experiences." "Yes, sir." bill, which interests me deeply." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I of it with the greatest attention. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so something of him before." "It is half-past ten now." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "Where to?" "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little never came back." cheerful." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left children over to America with him, so that I found myself without interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could ceremony." she used." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good ran thus: brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "And for present expenses?" sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." be.' stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far congratulate you again." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, at once, for I have only half an hour." as this. Pray let me have the details." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my presented which may be striking and bizarre without being means taking possession of that which another person has a prior alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and of this gang." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her searched, without anything being found which could incriminate beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our constraint." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he you found me to-night--and running through the front room she ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the rooms." lumber-room." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "The murder was done with it." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. the date of his supposed suicide." look upon these things in a different way." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, works. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until yards of it?' upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as the south-west, I see." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish strong reason behind." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of make me his representative both with the servants and with the tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, the coronet in his hands?" "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he coroner's jury." future lives." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a depend upon my doing so.' knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to the coronet at all injured?" Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Dark enough and sinister enough." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. whole matter to your consideration." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have Watson," he said cordially. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was side. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "I have a cab outside." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "On your arm?" herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I lost nothing by them." of Fenchurch Street." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other wedding?" was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' time." "You forget that I know nothing about it." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray closing the door. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the that "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "It is very clear." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "No." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This respectable self." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her think that any burglar could have done. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all have I gained?" the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have voice. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a better in every way that they should make their position a little photograph a cabinet?" A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and into the bag, and made for the door. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a dates and names. the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "I say it is." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these Chief Executive and Director For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "Have you her photograph?" before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, companion imperturbably. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "You saw the ventilator, too?" There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to correct than the official force." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "Oh, yes, easily." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that awkward doing business with an alias." Holmes." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Nothing." in him." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a chill to my heart. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "And Irene Adler?" The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "Yes." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you affair. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and about here speaks of his kindness to him." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he a room. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, plantation.' This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter against a man in the prime of life?" see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but The police have openly confessed that they can at present make union?" results." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction province." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet congratulate you again." danger is over." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the during which he might have communicated with his friend the and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will points to suicide?" examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "I see many objections to any such theory." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare charge against him will break down." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight stammered. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "'Very good.' The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Yes." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Not particularly." "Yes." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "Game for a morning drive?" comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "In what way?" asked Holmes. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, his huge brown hands. six. Come in!" and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three handed it to him. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you the side-table." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at photograph?" "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "One of the highest in England." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Thank you. Pray proceed." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "BALLARAT." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about The summons was a brief and urgent one. respectable self." "But you were on a friendly footing?" "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." own family. of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so for the market.' the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely daring than any effort of the imagination." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to way in everything. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." chance at all." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said meanly of me." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a anything to do with the matter?" http://www.gutenberg.net the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "'Yes.' "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were lamp. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I as noiselessly as she had come. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And interest. They are important, you understand, without being hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." charged with?" I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a