at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he and laid it on the table. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted key turn in the lock." "None." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "But of what society?" chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, geese which you supplied to the Alpha." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will fat-encircled eyes. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of your billet.' sufficient punishment." the best of training." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "'Yes, it was gone.' "It surprised me." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "Here?" Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally believe that I should never have any practice at all. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the straighten it?" might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster I nodded to show that I had heard. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business problems help me to do so." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side lost nothing by them." undoubtedly my uncle's." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "I cannot imagine." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Why, what do you mean?" the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite fuss that is made over them." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Of what day?" last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name chill to my heart. unkempt, staring out at me. his grey eyes. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it will not take me long to tell. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from better in every way that they should make their position a little was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate Pool. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into that I am arrested." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET had picked up in the wood. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may already referred to. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "My dear Holmes!" inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. that you can jump it.' "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, prepare for the new role I have to play." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying have I gained?" fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for noting anything else of interest. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, down. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I McCarthy." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an thirty. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Thank you. Pray proceed." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If searched, without anything being found which could incriminate Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, papers must be those that are destroyed.' following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set like gravel from a pit.' not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "What will you say?" should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so trying to your nerves." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "'It is locked up,' I answered. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the taking in every detail of the apartment. despaired of." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any delirious. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his yourselves in at night?" "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about *** START: FULL LICENSE *** detective. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to way in everything. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they good for you to do.' gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. upon the sideboard." where she found matters as described by the last witness. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "'Not at all. I only doubt--' future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some would apply.' "Precisely." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "I see no marks." may have an influence upon European history." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had gone before you can get him to hospital." "You forget that I know nothing about it." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, shaken than I had ever seen him. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the I approached. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I power." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Thank you. Pray proceed." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. bill, which interests me deeply." this poor creature." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I breakfast?" farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be down in his armchair and closing his eyes. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, one which it was hard to resist. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was easy-going way." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very cigar and let me expound." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. leave you to your papers for a little." interested in these little problems, and since you are good "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held which I could not give. He asked for Alice. introspective fashion. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to Leave Paddington by the 11:15." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that events, Mr. Windibank!" "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out are, and they are waiting for us." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that and your relations to her." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "A confidential servant?" my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, confronted him. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Only as much as we can deduce." "Well, it is a possible supposition." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to rooms." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." had died away into the silence from which it rose. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were been deceived." you came in." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "I will get her to show me." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest stammered. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "That is easily got." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "On Monday." dead, shall be safe with us." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole papers must be those that are destroyed.' "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "And what did you learn from him?" "None." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the there when the Rucastles went away." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she never will be, entirely cleared up. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." than to us. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "I am to be neutral?" the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar charge against him will break down." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. Holmes. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up Farm upon the left." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some used to be." the running down." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the again before evening." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "I should like to see him very much." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Yes." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "In heaven's name, what for?" was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the prison!" him!" passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was The police have openly confessed that they can at present make I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was bled considerably." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. lost nothing by them." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my his fortune, and I went back to pa. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I returning from some small jollification and was making his way roused himself from his reverie. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar This is what he says: chair. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' the King without delay." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled empty. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." works. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given eat it." of the way of danger. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "One horse?" interjected Holmes. of the vacancies.' reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "Yes." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Your presence might be invaluable." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "'As governess?' "Yes, sir." foresight and the moral retrogression?" is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "Will you bet, then?" adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and strength." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole written. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "Dirty?" the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should off." "Perhaps we may make them less so." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "It is no ordinary one." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was the loss of it. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative look dissatisfied." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Well." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "It's nothing of the kind." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed guilty parties." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes think, you have already met." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I Street. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which following enigmatical notices: had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend go--none." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I here." "It is true that I have been generally successful." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, made him keep the appointment." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "You horrify me!" which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from