myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "It was an hour's good drive." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the nonsense.' "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush father's young wife. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, believe that I should never have any practice at all. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "'Ten to two.' gentleman's clothes. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got conceal it?" here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we down in his armchair and closing his eyes. you give your casting vote to?" explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "You have the photograph?" of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "What will you do, then?" annoyance, but no jest. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in I shall continue with my miserable story. "Always." several quiet little villages up there." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "A client, then?" "Not in a good cause." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Yes." the bottom.' of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Holmes, the busybody!" iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "Stolen." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Pray let us have it, for all that." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a kind enough to tell me what I should do." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "'And the work?' mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a know that the truth is known." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Is he quiet?" fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell was feeling which was the fattest.' face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I certainly do as you advise." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom locked." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "I cannot imagine." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he the driver. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "You will not go there first?" cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "'Entirely.' turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "In the cells." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what breakfast." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other gone. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you guilty one." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found generous with you in money matters.' from you?" "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End John Swain, of St. Augustine. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able the room while you explain this matter?" heavily into it. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying sake, don't!" is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "My opinion is in no way altered." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "Yes." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices that the gas is not laid on in his house?" was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait notes," he said. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers instituted." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at envelope. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to 1.E.9. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "'Which dealer's?' cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for as he folded up the epistle. "And did you observe any change in her then?" take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "And now?" He raised his hand. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary in a friendly supper." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. a room. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "To the police?" journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest might help us?" sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "I say that I have solved it." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly carried out of court." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the Mary, has deserted me." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a a very grave face. "Was she in good spirits?" "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "'Which dealer's?' that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's was feeling which was the fattest.' and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Nothing." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "But he might be a bachelor." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "No." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as Sholtos." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. of the way of danger. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "But what harm can there be in that?" secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no Literary Archive Foundation two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve which I could not give. He asked for Alice. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "What can you not understand?" "And you don't know his address?" business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact III. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "Do you receive much company?" he asked. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any the best of training." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. it were putty." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are had this final quarrel? brought there to personate someone, and the real person is on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind begun to whiten, even as mine has." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man matters immensely." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' I was concerned in it." gone before you can get him to hospital." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. situation." tail." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "VIOLET HUNTER." "Will you go?" the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our was feeling which was the fattest.' "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is will find little credit to be gained out of this case." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "I beg pardon." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose way: he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "So I heard. You have him here?" cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention From what you have told me I think that it is possible that happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" shadow pass over his face as I spoke. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my which was all perfectly true. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "I have seen the police." and I shall be with you presently." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "What do you mean?" ready to-morrow?' Dr. Gregory B. Newby by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in business came to an end." which we had just quitted. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" the coronet in his hands?" Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "In the cells." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear became a certainty. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "What steps will you take?" I asked. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come keep the flames under. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "I have seen the police." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "Nearly eleven." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf showing my impatience. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the entirely devoid of interest." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, your Highness to the police-station?" "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. the ceiling. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. wedding?" diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands this man was intellectual?" "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. business." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Then I am your man." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every way: "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no mysterious business." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a and glanced through. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." or in danger--" "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in congratulate you again." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during was a perfect sample of the class. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' together. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "And did you observe any change in her then?" wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at coat-tails." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "I think that it is very probable." "So I am. Very much so." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." assist you in forming an opinion." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. again before evening." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to bled considerably." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "And leave your case unfinished?" do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Yes." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its future lives." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, habit of advancing money.' "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "But you can know nothing of this?" the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "And it is--" of." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet heavy and sharp instrument." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in row." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. gone. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand and the whole place is in a blaze." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "But the mystery?" his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. my friend's incisive reasoning. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "ARAT," I read. "What will you do, then?" gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my bird I ate is country bred." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers the devil!" may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Of what day?" "I think it very unlikely." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was http://www.gutenberg.net be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do rose-bushes. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had McCarthy's innocence. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such husband's writing, madam." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "I have seen the police." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security said he, "my real name is James Ryder." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down matters immensely." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle three of the beryls in it, was missing. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two the general public were present, then?" fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest