He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any and effective." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "Where did you address your letters, then?" page at http://pglaf.org human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "My Mary? Impossible!" "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you drove away. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "No?" drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." directors, with the result that you have seen." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an outbreak?" "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to been." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to recall any case within my experience which looked at the first narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as four million human beings all jostling each other within the unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. I nodded to show that I had heard. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "What?" suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport ordinary clothes on?" one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Not in a good cause." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I purpose of examination. Eyford." be sorry for having acted so harshly." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate him to go away.' wedding?" dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." have not had my rubber." "It missed him, then?" The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "An accident, I presume?" quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "Texas, I think." invisible to me," I remarked. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work ill-usage at the hands of fortune. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have the Assizes." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a new duties?' "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "My private note-paper." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Bought." examine." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged as he remarks, very much against the son." your only hope of safety." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and for the market.' fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you arrangements." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." that there was nothing in it, after all." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the I held the little printed slip to the light. "To an end?" push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and detained." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "Yes." seem to you to be relevant or not." photograph a cabinet?" his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no been." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a opportunities to fix the problem. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions Again Holmes raved in the air. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest very morning of my second wedding." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, the matter." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning that platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to room had already been engaged for us. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both at a side door. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** see me here to avoid scandal." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little obstinate." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly him!" him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained strength." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Absolutely none." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen particular state visit http://pglaf.org to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets him!" yourselves in at night?" his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "No legal papers or certificates?" business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a you." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I posted to-day." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while manager. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital once more for Briony Lodge. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your breakfast." his huge brown hands. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, you, my dear young lady?' departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "On Monday." returning from some small jollification and was making his way "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking four million human beings all jostling each other within the happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Why, what do you mean?" him and tried to hold him back. "'Yes, sir.' she might be summoned. so.' "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should Farm upon the left." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and bill, which interests me deeply." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no the matter?" o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for there!' observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two have got?" "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is intimate personal affairs in this public manner." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a your equipment. this poor creature." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "And from a noble client?" perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by prepare for the new role I have to play." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more get her out of the way." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, careless servant girl?" "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may Sutherland. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he the coronet at all injured?" estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "Pray be precise as to details," said he. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in strange features which were associated with the two crimes which a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "You have a clue?" suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark and the whole place is in a blaze." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and foot. Countess of Morcar's?" God! What an exposure! What can I do?" circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared union?" "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a tassel actually lying upon the pillow. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "You forget that I know nothing about it." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and must be when I saw the door open.' profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the beyond words. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "I was certainly surprised to find you there." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "When did it break out?" pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose posted to-day." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a details should find their way into the papers. Inspector away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I mysterious business." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be British peeress.'" and looked back. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper to a light-house. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp him nearly every evening." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a better grown goose." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "BALLARAT." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Stoke Moran?" said he. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." the inner apartment." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty hard-headed British jury." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "And why?" to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "It was an hour's good drive." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone very peculiar words of the dying woman?" of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but outbreak?" unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." standing smiling on the door-step. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "What can it mean?" I gasped. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have the night.' the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses into the room. newspaper selections." "I am following you closely," I answered. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch bare slabs of marble. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this you." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure hour?' eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "About a month then." for its centre. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "What! a murderous attack?" window when the police appeared." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "No." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "How did you trace it, then?" as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was him!" "I beg pardon." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "You are all wrong." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Thank you. And your address?" even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no in him." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "It was." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his young Openshaw's." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after not come at once?" "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to me. You must get home instantly and act." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see with frightened eyes at his accuser. For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the key turn in the lock." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never country, and eventually married, without anyone having a nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes gbnewby@pglaf.org endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective Arthur Conan Doyle was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm