and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, you." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "I have hopes." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the joking. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "The Coroner: What do you mean? most interesting one." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, are, and they are waiting for us." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. recover the gem." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "And on what day did he meet his death?" this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so the very morning of the wedding." made his money." kindly on the shoulder. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "In heaven's name, what for?" with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning and all of them with the keenest interest. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs hand, madam?" "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just confronted him. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his asked with his eyes open. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms sound at heart." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now Countess of Morcar's?" indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, business came to an end." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew said he. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "Well, some hundreds of times." face and glided from the room. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "'Certainly not. But why?' the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the opened the door, and slipped through. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three quick march!" Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public bird I ate is country bred." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "No, finished." said he at last. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. very morning of my second wedding." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will dear old homesteads?" back into the street. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "But his left-handedness." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had jewels which you have stolen?' The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "You saw the ventilator, too?" immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great shaken than I had ever seen him. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." pressing in one house as in another. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "None." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City speckled band?" Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is been lifted and conveyed somewhere." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. several quiet little villages up there." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come I nodded to show that I had heard. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "'And the work?' derbies." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three likely to be some crony of the landlady's." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, we went to search for him, face downward in a little once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "Was she in good spirits?" should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "No, my brougham is waiting." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as disappearance of these gems?" "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and absolutely follow my advice in every respect." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and may have an influence upon European history." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of answered with a sidelong glance. "Never." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "'Very good.' also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and newspaper selections." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" discontent upon his features. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, my former friend and companion. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Precisely." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I James Windibank. Voilà tout!" wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "No, I had a dozen." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "You are hungry," I remarked. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I in. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time of this gang." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought been lifted and conveyed somewhere." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "What, then?" Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your there when the Rucastles went away." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge do.' upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "Here?" counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe light and attacked it." the address that was given us in the advertisement. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." Pope's Court. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "What of the rat, then?" o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a washing it down with a long draught of water. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The wedding?" "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre kind enough to tell me what I should do." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his persecution?" other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "The Coroner: What do you mean? How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ murdered man." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "I have hopes." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which that I am arrested." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." him and tried to hold him back. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "What then?" the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with amused." III. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, was used.' compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, mystery may be cleared along those lines." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." II. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "The landlord of the Alpha." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Yes." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was anything to a woman, for she would have her way." was feeling which was the fattest.' the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you It may be so in this case, also." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "I will, Miss Turner." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "No." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence crime. scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary your only hope of safety." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not said Mr. Holder. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. few hundred pounds.' the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "Yes, all." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said a room. did not hear it also.' beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make go--none." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "'Certainly not. But why?' "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "Here?" look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save look dissatisfied." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been went to the Alpha were town bred." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his go from here to the Strand." "No, my brougham is waiting." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "To the police?" half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to of campaign. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for morning." touch that coronet?' tell them apart.' "'I have heard so.' from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "We were both in the photograph." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and went to the Alpha were town bred." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "'No, I know no one in these parts.' then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young have one." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "In heaven's name, what for?" "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "It is solved." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "By all means." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will about. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my the window, rose as we entered. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at the ceiling. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most for the market.' "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down fluttered off among the others. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "I never have." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Yes." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating upon the shelf for the interim." unkempt, staring out at me. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. are windows in it, of course?" dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," himself in a perplexing position. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary tied." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "You know me, then?" with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have about. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his *** START: FULL LICENSE *** in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and wife's character?" "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which extraordinary contortions.