($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "Who was the criminal, then?" I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "My last client of the sort was a king." the child." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." said he. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how bill, which interests me deeply." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The fasten all the windows?" "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name figure." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in orange pips. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of peculiar to him. hardly wander." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to 1.E.9. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one works. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "You think that he is dead?" was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "My dear Holmes!" "'Yes.' pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "And your mother is alive?" He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he hour." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across on re-entering her father's house?" "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, during the last few years, and there are many noble families to of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "A greater distance to travel." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen the date of his supposed suicide." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was trifles." "And sit in the dark?" so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "Certainly, madam." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "The vanishing of the lady." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK to surprise her." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when returning from some small jollification and was making his way Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it my former friend and companion. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. companion imperturbably. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "What do you make of that, Watson?" postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of and have this put in the evening papers." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a done what I asked you, Jones?" face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and not, dad?" she asked. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in look dissatisfied." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have the dangers which encompass me." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "Stoke Moran?" said he. once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as she to prove their authenticity?" "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Not particularly." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I of Mr. Rucastle's." "You think so, too?" Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "9th. McCauley cleared. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more all that?" "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the himself to tell his story. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Then, as to money?" once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "And leave your case unfinished?" into the room. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't The events in question occurred in the early days of my "A greater distance to travel." "My private note-paper." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place perplexity from it to my illustrious client. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which key of the affair now." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "And it is--" his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, away to you." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "It is very clear." not personally threatened." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said Watson," he said cordially. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin tell them apart.' first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "'I have heard so.' "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for golden eyeglasses. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "You have the photograph?" you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been certainly not very gracious." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a and a shock of very red hair. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the said Mr. Holder. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. said he at last. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would see a sister of mine apply for." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "A greater distance to travel." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "But your client--" "'Where could I find him?' redistribution. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward might have a private word with us. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "How on earth--" of campaign. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "But what harm can there be in that?" whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, the tragedy. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another the King without delay." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "And how?" residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a was feeling which was the fattest.' real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. and all of them with the keenest interest. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. purpose equally well?" rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a of fine shops and stately business premises that they really deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "You did not overhear what they said?" "I saw her in conversation with her maid." for its centre. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "I have my revolver," said I. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those again on its way. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Where is it, then?" cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a occurred." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "And from a noble client?" him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "Texas, I think." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three least a fellow-countryman. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George handed it to him. "I would pay ten." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous which we had just quitted. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? neither fascinating nor artistic." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his evidence," I remarked. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "I am all attention, madam." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" the little opening for the ventilator is." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "That is also quite modern," said the lady. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "No, I think that I'll take it." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, than to us. highroad, where all traces were lost. shoulder; "he's all right." have had none more fantastic than this." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great have not had my rubber." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of very peculiar words of the dying woman?" in him." indeed which he could not unravel. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer the coronet in his hands?" this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch country, and eventually married, without anyone having a for the market.' problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, Watson," he said cordially. "My dear Holmes!" Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "'Stolen!' he cried. least a fellow-countryman. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "I am still in the dark." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." lectures into a series of tales." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a bachelor.' all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, the inquest, and which are worth considering." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it may never be exposed to such a temptation." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "We have tried and failed." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "'In my own bureau.' concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "My stepfather's business papers." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated signal between you and your father? Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a