relief. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on to tackle the facts." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Yes, he did." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. sake, don't!" said I. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "Can I be of assistance?" "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down at home. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so again." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the one else, I think." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps than to us. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "What I expected to see." "Then, how do you know?" we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a system of imprisonment?" the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out pressing in one house as in another. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without it right.' habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Yes, from Horsham." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was was used.' XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET a few minutes he said that it would be all right. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "'There is a drive, then?' make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue up this clue while it is still hot." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "You think that he is dead?" back to my heart. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a have not had my rubber." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him opportunities to fix the problem. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in that back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most of his shoulders. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from corner of the building. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband foresight and the moral retrogression?" questionable one." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right peculiar to him. Foundation "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "'Where to?' "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "I have seen the police." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" in darkness. "My opinion is in no way altered." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, fasten all the windows?" nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Witness: It was. Street. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. fact, we may call it conclusive." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a upon the sideboard." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You morning." bell. Holmes whistled. third from London." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer been deceived." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody six. Come in!" be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." some terrible trap for her." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, is worth.' of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I always that they were such commands as a lady might with this as likely?" "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "And I to find an enemy." interests were the same as his." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of in darkness. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "No." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "Could he throw no light?" ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "9th. McCauley cleared. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a man. least a fellow-countryman. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa nonsense.' been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "But she could not love him." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" corner of the building. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "'And what are they worth?' I asked. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he lost his Christmas dinner." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable take the flies, but not before." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It Gutenberg-tm License. "What! a murderous attack?" impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he me where it went to?" him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and peculiar to him. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "What?" upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not paper in the air. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I him to be an active member of the medical profession." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered Leave Paddington by the 11:15." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked the very morning of the wedding." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Yes, he did." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "And I say east," said my patient. telegram would bring me down to your help." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of which are rolled in Rotterdam." may never be exposed to such a temptation." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast I took the paper from him and read as follows: where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To photograph?" really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Of what?" power." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "That sounds a little paradoxical." breakfast." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "Imitated." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens nonsense.' Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my ways of our fellow-men." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be a suggestive one." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat room. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "I should be immensely obliged to you." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "I was mad--insane." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the events, Mr. Windibank!" upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she strode off upon his way. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. will he say when he returns?" it means?" and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who over here." "'Ample.' until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a them, and came down just as you departed. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a a room. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "I assure you that I am in your hands." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me returning from some small jollification and was making his way "How can you tell that?" his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into whether it answered to the description of any of their "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." habit of advancing money.' "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, upon a handsome competence. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face breakfast?" for the market.' clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would of them has the shutters up.' in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous night.' said he. comes from the middle window." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Did you become engaged then?" and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of you." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural have I gained?" a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "I have a cab outside." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in sake, don't!" Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, cause to be." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my Project Gutenberg-tm works. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "Was he the only applicant?" into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion bird of prey. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than with you alone." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard advice." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I several quiet little villages up there." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently awaited us upon the table. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "No." Arthur Conan Doyle instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet to a light-house. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "No." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a the coronet in his hands?" opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong a suggestive one." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is thirty. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "You think so, too?" "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which with frightened eyes at his accuser. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were things are very often connected not with the larger but with the as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We some place of shelter and let the county police know what has he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "'And what are they worth?' I asked. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to back alive. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes extraordinary contortions. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, think, you have already met." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to formed some opinion?" were unconscious?" saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle what these perils are?" They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was without success. At last the little money which I had saved began Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" lamp. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. salesman. congratulate you again." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my see a sister of mine apply for." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "No." "Yes." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke obstinate." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "How often?" the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite