like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich entirely devoid of interest." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. Does that suggest anything?" "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate and effective." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is matters immensely." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the writing, and yet I know it well." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an examine." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open Pope's Court. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in one's self under obligations.' "Yes. He waved his hands." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "'Most admirably.' caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" the very morning of the wedding." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "What will you say?" These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "It's nothing of the kind." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "And what did you see?" however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be leave you to your papers for a little." than to us. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which better in every way that they should make their position a little would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "No. What a strange idea!" their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "'Certainly,' I answered. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "But what harm can there be in that?" down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, discontent upon his features. think that he is innocent?" "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the wedding?" Chief Executive and Director abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and true." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. have got?" should be so warm over such a trifle." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a whole matter to your consideration." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the right! Sit down and let us talk it over." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. know what is wrong with it.' very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Well?" chair. "Not particularly." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "You horrify me!" papers must be those that are destroyed.' appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "'About the same.' possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young there was no need for father to know." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case have one." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his purpose equally well?" took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I the one as in the other." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that fluttered off among the others. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," be. electronic works building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so Holmes. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You criminal. We have already had experience of such." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "I cannot tell." be.' already referred to. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me I shall continue with my miserable story. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she do.' just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been and files of the old papers, following the future career of every bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the narrative." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was this truth that in these little records of our cases which you some terrible trap for her." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely once more. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think of Fenchurch Street." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." Count Von Kramm." me what he had done with the three missing stones. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "It goes to the housekeeper's room." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "I say that I have solved it." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a nights." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "You will not go there first?" sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to official police." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that go back?" "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside was a perfect sample of the class. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at the loss of it. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "That is easily got." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at comes from the middle window." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, this man was intellectual?" gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very that I may have something better before very many minutes are hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "Only as much as we can deduce." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "That sounds a little paradoxical." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "I promise," said Holmes. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and matter." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we writing, and yet I know it well." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "What steps will you take?" I asked. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little him!" Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect assist you in forming an opinion." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Witness: I must still refuse. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal one of the states of the Union." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by will not take me long to tell. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "None." he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, then?" Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your congratulate you again." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Was your sister dressed?" office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he over with notes and figures. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "The gentleman I describe." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully had no one to advise her at such a crisis." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, shoulder; "he's all right." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "I do." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we address. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into had formerly been in part my own. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "And Miss Sutherland?" look dissatisfied." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "Can I be of assistance?" soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "Yesterday." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "He might." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, note?" "But she will refuse." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, lectures into a series of tales." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the Edgeware Road. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "I have seen the police." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as the inner apartment." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, ill-usage at the hands of fortune. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" fait accompli?" great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "It is possible." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a entirely devoid of interest." feature." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Absolutely?" families. Now for the facts. "The murder was done with it." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in laugh and put his lips to my ear. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, forecastle of an emigrant ship. he bowed and left the room without another word. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that *** START: FULL LICENSE *** home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "What of the rat, then?" "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, have I gained?" "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has you." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "His face fell immediately. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I in your London, you will know that the office of the company is to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I the salesman. your most interesting statement." there is a decided draught." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "Where to?" "'Stolen!' he cried. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "You did not overhear what they said?" 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Not I." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond you." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see sufficient punishment." "I cannot as yet see any connection." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I.