them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" works. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "What! a murderous attack?" the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," exactly what you advise." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, at my remark. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to with some details as to your case." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me at my own good fortune. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself away into the river." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "It's nothing of the kind." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and some water from a caraffe. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again it." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from distance from the station, and there we found the young lady he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "One horse?" interjected Holmes. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still people in all walks of life. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I exactly what you advise." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "I was certainly surprised to find you there." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "What then?" union?" making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional villagers almost as much as their master. were wasted." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, telegram would bring me down to your help." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. it right.' "Yes, only one." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "The Coroner: What do you mean? "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "It may not come to that," said Holmes. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, and the church but not where the lady lived." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his do." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "They are typewritten," I remarked. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a the tragedy. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a himself. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was in the dead of the night?' therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." The events in question occurred in the early days of my firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my who was a member of your goose club." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it has little to do with my story." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." criminal. We have already had experience of such." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." outsides of the windows. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "She will not sell." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and The police have openly confessed that they can at present make Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they where we are going." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "It goes to the housekeeper's room." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small and the church but not where the lady lived." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "I am following you closely," I answered. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many once more to my work. some water from a caraffe. fattened it expressly for you.' This is what he says: Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold following enigmatical notices: any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to cost them two and thirty pounds." society." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and matter." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Were they all fastened this morning?" and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? quite distinctive." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then It may be so in this case, also." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "A greater distance to travel." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to kindly on the shoulder. "'Certainly,' I answered. Cross for the Continent." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "A greater distance to travel." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a matter." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought to me. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET maiden herself was most instructive." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "But you were on a friendly footing?" Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, have an American origin." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. indeed which he could not unravel. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "The knees of his trousers." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers your own bird, so if you wish--" set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "No, I am descending." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "At half-wages, in fact." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow one's self under obligations.' face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is to some other building. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He call you and give you the chance." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but will take you up to see the machine.' Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Then he might have called to you?" as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The during that time.' but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "But how could you guess what the motive was?" give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of beg that you will break it off." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is reach." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "Thank you. Pray proceed." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off you do it in twenty minutes!' the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Well, it is a possible supposition." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "It's nothing of the kind." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would British peeress.'" against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used beyond words. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "10th. John Swain cleared. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon It was close upon four before the door opened, and a his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me child?' a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after States. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow Holmes. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the if only as a check to my own memory." "He is still with you, I presume?" increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added would apply.' Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "So I heard. You have him here?" the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he clanging. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you gone. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw down. "'Very good.' week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the get the tickets." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "Entirely." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "He disappeared so suddenly." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "It is possible." himself to tell his story. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "What have you to say now?" attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it infinite languor in his face. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "What!" he roared. through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Thank you. And your address?" him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon disturbance in my wife." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "Will you bet, then?" "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they reach." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "Yes, the wine-cellar." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "We must sit without light. He would see it through the into the room. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to better grown goose." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. way in everything. digesting their breakfasts at home." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and bears upon the case?" opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little in the dead of the night?' met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, respectable self." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "'I have already given you my word.' believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said