to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I Street. the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "I know where it is." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "Tired-looking or fresh?" Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the Cross for the Continent." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing of them has the shutters up.' thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the you came in." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "'Yes.' for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and do." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not was already answered. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the that he will be back before evening." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' his face which made him a very different person to the round, by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "It was." his wife has ceased to love him." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll fuss that is made over them." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "Upon what point?" your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly your own bird, so if you wish--" can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is dates and names. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which back into the street. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as case before our client came into the room." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your the bottom.' and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there tell him that I know him to be innocent." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "You saw the ventilator, too?" existence." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge The telegram which we eventually received came late one night accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My into the room. "That sounds a little paradoxical." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his him to go away.' long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, went to the Alpha were town bred." Heh?' "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "Nearly eleven." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you cigars in the box." crackling voice. "I cannot imagine." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in was feeling which was the fattest.' lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent you in yours." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "It is solved." "It is a murder, then?" "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner along the entire front of the house, with three long windows home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low during which he might have communicated with his friend the "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "It was a confession," I ejaculated. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your it." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "How often?" "But what is it you wish?" or in danger--" most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now your billet.' "It is very clear." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a relation between them, and what the object of his repeated Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "'And what salary do you ask?' bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a American. Then who could this American be, and why should he the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "I was afraid that you were engaged." behind me. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became bears upon the case?" "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet prisoner's face. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Holmes, the busybody!" again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "Why, it's a dummy," said he. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, papers must be those that are destroyed.' seen the man in the road." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may open." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking dear old homesteads?" enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "That you are never beaten." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "You have but to name it." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "But I am all in the dark." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage correct than the official force." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving think that any burglar could have done. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "What then?" "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a sooner or later she must fall a victim. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. she might be summoned. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the again before evening." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "Of what?" God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "Come in!" said he. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "How are you getting on?" them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "One?" for and were ordered to this address. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like morning." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and way in." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid which should have the effect of calling the attention of the be there in time for your coming." Sholtos." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "And did you observe any change in her then?" "Witness: Nothing definite. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some you want, then?' horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs fuss that is made over them." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not about here speaks of his kindness to him." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a in one or two places in England?' demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' business?" If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our only touch the interest." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "I am all attention, madam." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a unprecedented a position." "'Ten to two.' direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless national property. I was determined that the law should have its of receipt of the work. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There Arthur Conan Doyle however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The relation between them, and what the object of his repeated since then to throw any light upon what became of him." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "A confidential servant?" moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and What do you deduce from it?" dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. to a light-house. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a she has been waylaid. There has been no result." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its disappearance of these gems?" furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at society." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his official police." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I forecastle of an emigrant ship. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have wife's character?" frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside indiscretion." which are rolled in Rotterdam." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here have had none more fantastic than this." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "I think that I had better go, Holmes." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the into her hand at the door and which lured her within their He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "You were travelling in the States?" "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector for securing the situation." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of matter." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her Project Gutenberg-tm works. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "No." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "Where is it, then?" "What I expected to see." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "But it has twice been burgled." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "You have a clue?" eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his the little opening for the ventilator is." are, I think, all that we need." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at of campaign. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had heavy and sharp instrument." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. vault. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "Nothing." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "9th. McCauley cleared. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good he. uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "You have but to name it." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill said I. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a father's young wife. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven awkward doing business with an alias." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that breakfast and whispered something to her husband. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods this poor creature." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, situation." Leadenhall Street--and--" it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "I should wish to." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads this unhappy family?" office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it of this gang." other, as fresh and trim as possible. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was kind enough to tell me what I should do." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall enter Dr. Roylott's room." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. fatally injured? the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "'What are you doing there?' he asked. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with