sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally not personally threatened." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' in him." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry writers could invent nothing more crude." fait accompli?" convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Then you may entirely rely on me." "So I am. Very much so." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "But to whom?" as noiselessly as she had come. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth wedding?" official police." and the whole place is in a blaze." even of instruction." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in since then to throw any light upon what became of him." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "That sounds a little paradoxical." disappearance of these gems?" drawing your inferences." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but triumphant cloud from his cigarette. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per shaken than I had ever seen him. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing wedding?" threw himself down with his face to the pillow. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "The Coroner: What do you mean? instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I village inn over there?" have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "Not him." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, of this gang." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he to change my dress. at my remark. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in read it out to me." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. digesting their breakfasts at home." "What! You do not mean bodies?" British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove felt?" workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to until night should bring an explanation. "To an English lawyer named Norton." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Stoke Moran?" said he. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was country, and eventually married, without anyone having a compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "What steps will you take?" I asked. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding bachelor.' them?" their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "And how did you verify them?" moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be not fit the lock." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Eh? What was that?" and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The chamber." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, distinguish the words: reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the nothing of it?" remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at the stones. the morning and make my own way in the world.' face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Will you bet, then?" "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND go from here to the Strand." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I whether it answered to the description of any of their copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. disappearance of the bride.'" in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad pierced for earrings?" myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great imbecility!" he cried. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a here and I will read it to you: blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your whether it answered to the description of any of their other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away to have been novel and of interest." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "It may not come to that," said Holmes. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the Leadenhall Street--and--" When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to records." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain the very morning of the wedding." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if in a friendly supper." outside. will he say when he returns?" "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. papers diligently of late, have you not?" "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." 1.E.9. get the tickets." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa very peculiar words of the dying woman?" PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about stood on the top of it. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "I have hopes." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as introspective fashion. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the during which he might have communicated with his friend the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the following enigmatical notices: paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a entirely lost his self-respect." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen tail." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "ARAT," I read. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as matters immensely." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside confronted him. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "How did he come?" infinite languor in his face. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "If I can be of use." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very noise which awoke you from your sleep?" even so self-evident a thing as that." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he were wasted." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey bare slabs of marble. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted Leadenhall Street--and--" I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to is now desirous of getting those letters back." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. paper in the air. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and one's self under obligations.' ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all points to suicide?" me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "What! Had he lost his wife?" my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "No, distinctly professional." "What is it?" this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "Come in!" said he. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and companion imperturbably. forecastle of an emigrant ship. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall acted in my house last night?" had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "I think it very unlikely." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray when your master had gone out." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "'Never.' groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. the inner apartment." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his money should be paid at once.' problems help me to do so." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a details." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, direction." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. woman." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Witness: I must still refuse. noble correspondent could be. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I paper in the air. coroner's jury." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still again before evening." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have cigars in the box." "Then I can wait in the next room." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained present." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "If I can be of use." said I. in him." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "You don't mind breaking the law?" graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the you understand?" his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the undoubtedly my uncle's." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a the window, rose as we entered. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually correct than the official force." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, go from here to the Strand." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite orange pips. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but read it out to me." some terrible trap for her." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long dramatic, in fact." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed hereditary King of Bohemia." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. me." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he anything to a woman, for she would have her way." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, him nearly every evening." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded his cane at the bell-pull. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." hands. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I this truth that in these little records of our cases which you the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "And Irene Adler?" endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "But how did you gain them?" business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' it." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "He slept on the premises." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "But the mystery?" near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left main points of my analysis." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the