as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his people don't know." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "I see many objections to any such theory." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" could gather together that I was able to avert another public disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, strode off upon his way. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who shaken than I had ever seen him. and the church but not where the lady lived." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at nights." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her upon the shelf for the interim." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this the so-precious time, but come!' may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we late!' stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George business." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "Her father is very rich?" bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE and no precautions can guard against." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Dirty?" at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." people don't know." the coronet at all injured?" "You don't mind breaking the law?" It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is open." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the mystery." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the details should find their way into the papers. Inspector stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "It is no ordinary one." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special in this note: seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "And it is--" begun to whiten, even as mine has." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor of." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me This is what he says: "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been said I. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand conversation I have gathered that they have been married about King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. were new raised from a basin. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "No good news?" his fortune, and I went back to pa. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian redistribution. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose new duties?' discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and begin with, and I had not got mine yet." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, you want, then?' horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "But what is it you wish?" have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend It may be so in this case, also." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "'Never,' said I. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "I am in hopes that she does." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune o'clock is it?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "Eh? What was that?" performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" side. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have subject to the trademark license, especially commercial *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he chance at all." companion. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "Yes." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Why serious?" liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." off." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to wedding?" transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "'A dozen yards or so.' learned something! Where are the gems?" DISSOLVED. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a learned something! Where are the gems?" the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "It must be recovered." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "And what did you learn from him?" advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' will he say when he returns?" anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "'There is a drive, then?' minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This straightened it out again. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to heavily into it. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic bled considerably." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. take the flies, but not before." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I my friend's incisive reasoning. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in just called myself is not exactly my own." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened lamp. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of have established a very serious case against the son of the "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked to surprise her." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "And it is--" cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left to miss it." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a where she found matters as described by the last witness. money should be paid at once.' "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then should be so warm over such a trifle." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable your equipment. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my believe that I should never have any practice at all. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let I approached. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." woman." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "It was a confession," I ejaculated. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote possible that we could bring him back to her? that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" once more for Briony Lodge. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and The police have openly confessed that they can at present make something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, been anything against him. He had for years been known as a salesman. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "She told me to ask you." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "The rest you will leave in our hands." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a she might be summoned. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "Oh, fresh and glossy." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before relief. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has legal crime." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you bonnet, and went out." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "And now?" I asked. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for if she died from some sudden fright." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." acquaintance?" in his hands." "You have carte blanche." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "He said that you could solve anything." to change my dress. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining the salesman. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to forecastle of an emigrant ship. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, letters?" up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "Really! You surprise me." "Very truly yours, Chief Executive and Director been." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so trying to your nerves." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after morning." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. his eyes and forehead. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached and the church but not where the lady lived." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "'Where to?' who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am father's place of business?" dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. call for it in person on Monday morning.' "'Where could I find him?' engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I down. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded daring than any effort of the imagination." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend prepare for the new role I have to play." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. see me here to avoid scandal." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Precisely." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "Then I do not see the point." new acquaintance to Baker Street. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." returning from some small jollification and was making his way looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "But who is he?" opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "Yes, certainly." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of your equipment. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Bought." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that guilty parties." chamber." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which bird I ate is country bred." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the bird of prey. remarked. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling prepare for the new role I have to play." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be be.' centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" touch that coronet?' "Absolutely none." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "And your mother is alive?" hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss murdered man." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but the coronet in his hands?" so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very opened a pocket-book and took out a note. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "I cannot as yet see any connection." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not so.' in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young against a man in the prime of life?" "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I returned to France?" At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it of them has the shutters up.' "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and have an American origin." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger Gutenberg-tm License. "You don't mind breaking the law?" "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders leaning back in his chair. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent business?" purpose equally well?" profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "The doctor?"