can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "On the contrary, this is the right side." generous with you in money matters.' "Entirely." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Imitated." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "We have tried and failed." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "'I am sure that I do not know.' upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "Eh? What was that?" impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the weapon." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment Holmes." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing off." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the walking." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a been." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it 'I should be able to look after that for you.' from the brougham. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "That's no good." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My Arthur Conan Doyle "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it Sutherland?" Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "That is possible." "I think it very unlikely." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, ventilator." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those upon the white wrist. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon are windows in it, of course?" have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We legal crime." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a over part of the map. "What do you read?" "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. point in the dark hollow of his hand. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "And I." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a this as likely?" The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of and looked back. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having chamber." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, to tell." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. to surprise her." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was said I. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is had died away into the silence from which it rose. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person works. Holmes. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "What can you not understand?" "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my she to prove their authenticity?" James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. mysterious end." was already answered. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when public press." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the good-night and bustled off upon her way. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "By train from Waterloo." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said and put his glass in his pocket. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is shoulder; "he's all right." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his believe that I should never have any practice at all. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "This photograph!" have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of written, and locked the door of the office after me. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband carriage. It was a chestnut." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "None." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, one else, I think." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "And I to find an enemy." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: depend upon my doing so.' step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of upon a handsome competence. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning the very letters. But what is this written above them?' what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they Edgeware Road. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive mysterious business." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "I would give my fortune to have them back." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Yes." of your young ladies.' had formerly been in part my own. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very even of instruction." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was case before our client came into the room." enter into my head. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who is so. I know all about McCarthy." ourselves in the office." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I relief. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt in my life." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about before the coroner and the police-court." better grown goose." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do shag which I had seen upon the previous night. wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. never to learn it at all." on in his house." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and nonsense.' "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A business?" brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the approach us with offers to donate. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Awake, Watson?" he asked. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court not, dad?" she asked. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery was lame." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal perplexity from it to my illustrious client. in the dead of the night?' Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the friend's singular character. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come way in everything. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly there when the Rucastles went away." "Perfectly so." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the himself. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "What! a murderous attack?" so.' nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "When did it break out?" your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our retorted upon me, and I on you." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. just ask you whether you had heard it.' give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and villagers almost as much as their master. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "How did you trace it, then?" I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "None." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was it. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "The rest you will leave in our hands." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Yes, that is the Crown." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair or in danger--" air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "It is true that I have been generally successful." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance and looked back. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "I see no marks." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents chance at all." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "At half-wages, in fact." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "It missed him, then?" in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey Street. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his observed. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it and no precautions can guard against." "'Most admirably.' should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." little adventures." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what your only hope of safety." business at Coburg Square is serious." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per searched, without anything being found which could incriminate and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the and the colonel ushered me in. "Breckinridge is his name." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital be.' answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "Entirely." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind depend upon my doing so.' gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a amused." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "And sit in the dark?" "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and will take you up to see the machine.' product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great this unhappy family?" casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the The summons was a brief and urgent one. interested in these little problems, and since you are good Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "And it is--" reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "No." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue Sholtos." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went DAMAGE. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I hour." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of acquaintance?" nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "He disappeared so suddenly." to change my dress. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "And you thought he was pulled back?" insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "'I shall certainly be there.' "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were