you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features that threaten you." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "And you can do nothing until then?" with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and roused himself from his reverie. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at any more." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "You have the photograph?" there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "I cannot as yet see any connection." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "Deserted you?" "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving is now desirous of getting those letters back." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "Did your wife hear all this?" time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. sneer upon his pale face. union?" "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a I approached. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "You know me, then?" that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek was a lad." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "But I have heard all that you have heard." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little bird of prey. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that her also." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "In San Francisco, a year ago." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, have accepted such a situation. him to go away.' "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive a little more before I quite committed myself. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "And help." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "I have a cab outside." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not swore that no one else had been in the front room during the hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., look upon these things in a different way." long narrative. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I stepfather?" My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Very. But will he see it?" common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she bill, which interests me deeply." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to my secret was safe in his possession. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment think that any burglar could have done. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "You don't mind breaking the law?" return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, there in twenty minutes." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "Not in the least." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an individual and becomes the badge of a society." foresight and the moral retrogression?" who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." you in your example." have I gained?" the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their developed." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" of this gang." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying despair." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "'What do you call purely nominal?' "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his notes," he said. key turn in the lock." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has opportunities to fix the problem. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "How many? I don't know." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most suspect him." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too populous neighbourhood." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "And leave your case unfinished?" mysterious end." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for questioning and rather startled gaze. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "You don't mind breaking the law?" distinguish the words: his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" shadow pass over his face as I spoke. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a highroad, where all traces were lost. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "But how?" little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned third from London." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial upon the white wrist. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I brain must have something in it." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the true." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Yes, they were peculiar boots." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "No. His orders were to stay in the house." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I to that open window." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "I will try. What is it?" have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught look dissatisfied." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could annoyance, but no jest. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we horse could go." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "I cannot tell." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "Precisely so. But how--" have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried writer." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. bonnet, and went out." "I guessed as much." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some what these perils are?" my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "Eh? What was that?" Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at gigantic client. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Never." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his second." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at hurried away. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven voice. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. legal crime." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of note?" besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across Chief Executive and Director James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." there has been an enclosure here!" convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had You want to know what became of those geese?" will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, served to weaken the effect. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in may never be exposed to such a temptation." was lame." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. she to prove their authenticity?" sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. The summons was a brief and urgent one. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he father's young wife. article?" should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "You horrify me." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You written. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that despaired of." was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he copied or distributed: the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "I have hopes." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for it right.' that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste in one or two places in England?' of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and ready to-morrow?' Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, Serpentine Avenue. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to attention." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for hurried away. "How on earth--" Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "And what did you learn from him?" "My dear Holmes!" air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off humiliation." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will is," said he presently: "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the wedding?" "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, mysterious business." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "But it has twice been burgled." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. tell me that you intended to go into harness." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such enter Dr. Roylott's room." guilty parties." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the is a common subject for conversation. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Did you observe the colour?" lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be that threaten you." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "This concluded the examination of the witness." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "So I heard. You have him here?" the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "I shall be delighted." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle strode off upon his way. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "You have the photograph?" dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The money should be paid at once.' desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net cup of tea. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll round and wave him away like that.' an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and fire. You quite follow me?" aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon