some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be weapon." figure." she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some congratulate you again." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until have accepted such a situation. XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Imitated." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was was shining brightly. companion imperturbably. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside sparkled upon his finger. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "That was it, sir." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. place no limit on the sum I may draw." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the never will be, entirely cleared up. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." what do you think they found in the pockets?" yet." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of there has been an enclosure here!" extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That is four-and-twenty." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was less than 26s. 4d. always that they were such commands as a lady might with matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this might help us?" way in everything. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I certainly not very gracious." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took hand, madam?" secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the this as likely?" fire. You quite follow me?" reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "I guessed as much." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. never came back." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Which are?" "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "No, I had a dozen." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "What will you say?" handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a I have it here in my museum." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Very. But will he see it?" "You are all wrong." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent could gather together that I was able to avert another public these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of were new raised from a basin. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent Pope's Court, Fleet Street." Henry Baker is a member." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "I am all attention, madam." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "That's no good." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely had this final quarrel? horse could go." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "'Certainly not.' "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his outside." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope Cross for the Continent." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he which are rolled in Rotterdam." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang me upon any point which I do not make clear." "And how did you verify them?" "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call 'I should be able to look after that for you.' foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect minor matters until to-morrow." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant very old mansion. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an and capable of preserving a secret.' complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "It looks newer than the other things?" in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a know all about it," he snarled. gentleman's clothes. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "How are you getting on?" crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever congenial hunt. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly must compliment you." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped directors have had misgivings upon the subject." not as remarkable as your advertisement." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying during which he might have communicated with his friend the whole matter to your consideration." bare slabs of marble. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't will take you up to see the machine.' just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "You'll never persuade me to believe that." very morning of my second wedding." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have recover the gem." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is tell me that you intended to go into harness." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Really! You surprise me." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with stalked out of the room. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." next day. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." to surprise her." before, for it was considerably after midnight. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to even of instruction." purpose equally well?" absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon face and glided from the room. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his certainly do as you advise." legal crime." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I asked. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "But who is he?" and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to client, rising. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever in a very precise fashion." "Stolen, then." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. the side-table." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "Ah!" as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE written, and locked the door of the office after me. direction." me upon any point which I do not make clear." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "That is unusual in a young girl." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "I have seen the police." system of imprisonment?" determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to cheerful." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a disappearance of the bride.'" upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in business?" certainly do as you advise." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have before the coroner and the police-court." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I will he say when he returns?" the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, despair." arrested. You then--" furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I in him." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very his face. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a disturbance in my wife." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "And how did you verify them?" that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination down from London to inquire more deeply into it." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would help us in this matter." "No." "Quite so." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "I am sure." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any wife's character?" her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that mystery!" provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "None." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE was keenly on my guard against him. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Were they all fastened this morning?" 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "'Then let me do so?' wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "And now?" He raised his hand. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a in darkness. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down me." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "I saw her in conversation with her maid." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round against a man in the prime of life?" fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the bearing upon the case." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of take the flies, but not before." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your forecastle of an emigrant ship. the stones. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in me upon any point which I do not make clear." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "Yes, the wine-cellar." "And I." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" extraordinary contortions. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Yes." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "Very well, sir. And this stone?" daring than any effort of the imagination." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked strength of mind to control. pressing in one house as in another. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Yes." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom third from London." I shall continue with my miserable story. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The is," said he presently: "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My lost his Christmas dinner." not as remarkable as your advertisement." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered thirty. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "I have solved it." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "I will, Miss Turner." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "The landlord of the Alpha." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or province." away to you." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "That is possible." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't and all of them with the keenest interest. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as do.' We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, Leave Paddington by the 11:15." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise his huge brown hands. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's