"The best possible." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs photograph?" There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed and no precautions can guard against." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men said he. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into existence." "Perhaps I have." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "He might." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after furiously. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I photograph a cabinet?" "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "That is not always so easy." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last province." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "I am still in the dark." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" see me here to avoid scandal." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "Deserted you?" "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the appeal." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "And how did you find out?" since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to bill, which interests me deeply." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect garden below. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a the roots. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through them?" into the room. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "Won't it ring?" the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had straighten it?" glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "That is unusual in a young girl." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you would apply.' firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his one else, I think." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, with some details as to your case." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, happened." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the may never be exposed to such a temptation." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his round with crates and massive boxes. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "'And what salary do you ask?' matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, you do it in twenty minutes!' McCarthy's innocence. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "And now?" He raised his hand. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" you for a few hours?" "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "It is very kind of you." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we passage and a tap at the door. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of husband's writing, madam." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age obstinate." place of silver." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to It may be so in this case, also." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, read over the extraordinary announcement. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "'You doubt its value?' he asked. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." back to my heart. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used vault. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried conversation I have gathered that they have been married about twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, the so-precious time, but come!' "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in green of the new foliage. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" the side-table." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else memory. for and were ordered to this address. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "That is it on the dressing-table." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, public press." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one hair?' "You don't mind breaking the law?" "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" envelope. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences few hundred pounds.' all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "I think it very unlikely." "Not him." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is friends, not even his own brother. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "Proceed, then." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Yes." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Certainly." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." character. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The with frightened eyes at his accuser. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain investigation." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Certainly." the coronet in his hand?" time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was wedding?" cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To bird of prey. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at nights." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "There is the writing." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady The events in question occurred in the early days of my up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was to me. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." sparkled upon his finger. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience will take you up to see the machine.' morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else that the gas is not laid on in his house?" head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "And help." "But what will you do?" urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not dates and names. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his envelope. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "'Stolen!' he cried. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered know that the truth is known." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of so.' speckled band?" may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though article?" "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you as he folded up the epistle. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your along the entire front of the house, with three long windows 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, imbecility!" he cried. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off entirely lost his self-respect." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & copied or distributed: have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I Lee, in the county of Kent." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the wedding?" "And your mother is alive?" the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "That is unusual in a young girl." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he over his head with a sweet womanly caress. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there you." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Well, but China?" He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came attention." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which and effective." "You have but to name it." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt definite end. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power Doctor, of the paper and the date." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to true." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the ways including including checks, online payments and credit card he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in beg that you will break it off." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Where did he live, then?" "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his confronted him. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' have been better. It is all right." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. returning from some small jollification and was making his way for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "'Certainly not. But why?' he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for astonishment. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "'Yes, it was gone.' this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "And your father? Did you tell him?" McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "I say that I have solved it." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or beyond words. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" when your master had gone out." fluttered off among the others. know all about it," he snarled. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "I am about to be married." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I DAMAGE. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold my friend's incisive reasoning. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs during that time.' The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "I see no marks." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds whatever might befall. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I