place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of yards of it?' feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a present." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "Yes, that is the Crown." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day do.' crime. weary and pale-looking. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "Why did you pick him?" the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too right! Sit down and let us talk it over." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, that he will be back before evening." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "What! Had he lost his wife?" the side-table." comes from the middle window." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the there is a decided draught." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know John Swain, of St. Augustine. outbreak?" "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "Did you observe the colour?" for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The my former friend and companion. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "It is his hat." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending dead, shall be safe with us." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "Will you bet, then?" responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "A client, then?" in. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, been with you?" poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw how narrow had been my escape. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a wall." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" here and I will read it to you: "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to quick march!" his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of are, I think, all that we need." giving me time to thank him. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. served to weaken the effect. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four this Miss Turner." of Fenchurch Street." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the lost nothing by them." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "To an English lawyer named Norton." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "Yes." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement was it brought him the coronet? understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt crowd. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he what do you think they found in the pockets?" outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "What office?" every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the lamp. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most handed it to him. closely." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed the dangers which encompass me." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect people don't know." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of remarked. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his down in his armchair and closing his eyes. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid until night should bring an explanation. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "I fear not." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. the night.' league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included once more to my work. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as said he. forehead. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about knowledge of the world." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "Why did you pick him?" self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "'What would be the hours?' I asked. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a never came back." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. empty. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. little trying to do so much typewriting?" deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. the so-precious time, but come!' though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every a few minutes he said that it would be all right. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "What will you do, then?" that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might one else, I think." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "It was an hour's good drive." nonsense.' never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "Dark enough and sinister enough." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen some water from a caraffe. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could there when the Rucastles went away." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." 11:15.' have been better. It is all right." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Do you go out much in society?" luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "'And the work?' sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly even of instruction." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. train.' coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," imbecility!" he cried. future lives." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I on re-entering her father's house?" across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "But she will refuse." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left useful material for showing traces. The double line a little Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "To ruin me." papers on the sundial.'" weigh very heavily upon my conscience." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "What! You do not mean bodies?" wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. Street. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father not within a twentieth part of the market price." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had kind enough to tell me what I should do." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which Doctor, of the paper and the date." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "That is it on the dressing-table." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left this as likely?" since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "Where, then, is my wife?" the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I himself. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "Of Friday, June 19th." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" served to weaken the effect. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let question you as to those details which seem to me to be most own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very showing my impatience. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid the roots. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. despair." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. about here speaks of his kindness to him." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in lumber-room." Serpentine Avenue. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though at home. "Stoke Moran?" said he. British peeress.'" robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you allusion to a rat. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his there has been an enclosure here!" she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business British peeress.'" rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding never came back." "An enemy?" Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." upon an income of about 60 pounds." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together hereditary King of Bohemia." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have to take care of herself." "No." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "He disappeared so suddenly." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "No legal papers or certificates?" double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of do." as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "And how did you find out?" o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a detained." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "What then?" been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Did he not advertise?" DISSOLVED. "He disappeared so suddenly." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "Yes?" Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I have had none more fantastic than this." "From his hat?" difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, Mrs. Toller serenely. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "Very truly yours, tightly behind him. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "How can you tell that?" not as remarkable as your advertisement." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, Foundation morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "He is still with you, I presume?" places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I The telegram which we eventually received came late one night how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "But to whom?" the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Not social, then?" "'Yes, sir.' eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the shall use the carriage to-night." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, go back?" roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in fled together." wedding?" memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one,