perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do looking up at the numbers of the houses." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one which I could not give. He asked for Alice. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "Which are?" and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "I cannot think." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Seven!" I answered. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be nights." with some details as to your case." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "It is very clear." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I indeed happy." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. was used.' it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, a monotonous occupation." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety crime. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further hereditary King of Bohemia." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring Count Von Kramm." "Yes." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so singular points about the case. What did the police think of the when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' enter into my head. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Why serious?" soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "The vanishing of the lady." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. wife's character?" wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, Holmes. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same the coronet in his hand?" "Really! You surprise me." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be is a common subject for conversation. when your master had gone out." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's bachelor.' "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "I am to be neutral?" what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by letters?" entirely devoid of interest." you." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London the stable lane now." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. to a light-house. and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "Has he come with you to-night?" comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is have established a very serious case against the son of the a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the fait accompli?" morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Yes, that is the Crown." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, down from London to inquire more deeply into it." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for have established a very serious case against the son of the heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "One of his hands." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not in a very precise fashion." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what was once confined in the cab my mission was practically occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that security.' The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get that you can jump it.' "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow the King without delay." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the himself in a perplexing position. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations asked. all that?" "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "No legal papers or certificates?" of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the was once confined in the cab my mission was practically than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "It is his hat." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but neither fascinating nor artistic." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will before the coroner and the police-court." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is than to us. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a October 9, 1890. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "In answer to an advertisement." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "'No, I know no one in these parts.' determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. know what is wrong with it.' "No good news?" is four-and-twenty." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "This concluded the examination of the witness." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg roused himself from his reverie. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "What is it, then--a fire?" "Which are?" a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "Did you observe the colour?" little adventures." again, where I was soon asleep. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was You want to know what became of those geese?" "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old so far?" "'And what salary do you ask?' call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six upon an income of about 60 pounds." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "She walked into the breakfast-room." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you in the port of London." the stable lane now." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, there is a decided draught." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have was lame." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have examination of the premises, but without finding anything which may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "You are hungry," I remarked. shall not find me ungrateful." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we maid will bring up your coffee." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "And what did you see?" "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. directly by questioning you." whereabouts. "'Yes, I promise.' astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Can I be of assistance?" him and tried to hold him back. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been ways of our fellow-men." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was there!' whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the too. of a light. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "I shall most certainly do so." Doctor, of the paper and the date." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in fluttered off among the others. key turn in the lock." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a most important business. It is probable that he will be away all his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement there!' "A confidential servant?" and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed again, where I was soon asleep. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the might help us?" the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "I shall be delighted." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "It looks newer than the other things?" and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Texas, I think." appointment with me for six o'clock?" We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. You want to know what became of those geese?" with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. look dissatisfied." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, charge against him will break down." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." amused." promised to bring home. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." eavesdroppers?' hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to and inquire as to the address." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email the window, rose as we entered. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, sound at heart." hard-headed British jury." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "No?" possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is morning." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "'Tell me all about it,' said I. make me his representative both with the servants and with the neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "A call for help, you thought?" the King without delay." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the taking in every detail of the apartment. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "No." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you not within a twentieth part of the market price." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work me have 200 pounds?' that, and I came down." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "'I have heard so.' he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand results." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but the ceiling. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "She walked into the breakfast-room." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be any." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised in one or two places in England?' "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man more solid." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Yes, all." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "Yes, certainly." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. lost his Christmas dinner." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Oh, the cause is excellent!" bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "I think that I had better go, Holmes." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless will he say when he returns?" yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and use an arc-and-compass breastpin." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, answered with a sidelong glance. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on developed." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "'Is 4 pounds a week.' better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would to his chemical studies. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "What! Had he lost his wife?" "That is possible." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured on re-entering her father's house?" I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had retorted upon me, and I on you." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found breakfast." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that had formerly been in part my own. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are