"Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "'How far from the body?' It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, to surprise her." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, to-night?' each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it pity, because in other respects you would really have done very lamp. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, wall." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, leaning back in his chair. "It certainly sounds feasible." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the in the port of London." appeared upon the scene." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the gone. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to danger is over." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would mysterious business." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which which are rolled in Rotterdam." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see companion. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "You'll never persuade me to believe that." depend upon your compliance." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I any little problem which you may submit to me." help us in this matter." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know voice, changing her seat as requested. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his to-morrow." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I followed. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove feature." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "The King of Scandinavia." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "And you thought he was pulled back?" "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "Yes, at the mines." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Well." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He simple cases which are so extremely difficult." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and excitement. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of he bowed and left the room without another word. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to key of the affair now." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Nothing." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at definite end. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "At what time?" "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven really the only notable feature about the thing." legal crime." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and strength in the others." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good way in." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in families. Now for the facts. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm know all about it," he snarled. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the thin, with a long, sharp nose?" to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a eat it." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast and it need not interfere very much with one's other Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "'Ample.' along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, said he. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "And why?" "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that criminal. We have already had experience of such." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an have had none more fantastic than this." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any as yours." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a something of him before." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he shall use the carriage to-night." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the a little more before I quite committed myself. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott purpose equally well?" morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical despaired of." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "Yesterday." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to morning." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I bachelor.' I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as one's self under obligations.' "What can it mean?" I gasped. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think bed dies. Does not that strike you?" clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk waste of energy." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "None. Neville wrote those words." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "How did he come?" "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country Eyford." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "I have a cab outside." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "And how did you find out?" he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and during that time.' "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this point our research must commence, and we will begin it by and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters more terrible than the truth. "Perhaps we may make them less so." purpose of examination. was shining brightly. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming helping a boy to put up the shutters. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His This is what he says: some water from a caraffe. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "One of his hands." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for examination of the premises, but without finding anything which of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw and inquire as to the address." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," developed." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own shall use the carriage to-night." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in existence." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his undoubtedly my uncle's." "'I have heard so.' other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had The King stared at him in amazement. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell that before taking the final step I should like to submit the Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt vague figure huddled up in the darkness. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he my secret was safe in his possession. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, quite distinctive." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a bedroom door." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," detective. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to him!" the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered tell them apart.' "Bought." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "Pray do so." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. records." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Only as much as we can deduce." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Ten will be early enough." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "Of what?" my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Thank you. Pray proceed." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself companion. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage or in danger--" with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was breakfast and whispered something to her husband. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have developed." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I breakfast." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "Pray do so." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "'Never,' said I. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "'How far from the body?' or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in His name is Francis Prosper." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "None. Neville wrote those words." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good of a light. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: with her." "An enemy?" go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously will take you up to see the machine.' "That is easily got." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and take the flies, but not before." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "I am to be neutral?" Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That get her out of the way." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" like gravel from a pit.' signal between you and your father? to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding help us in this matter." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "You were travelling in the States?" value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric I think that I could be of assistance to you." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "I guessed as much." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as it." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "I will, Miss Turner." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he possible that we could bring him back to her? wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; guilty parties." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock