But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "My dear Holmes!" furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in been able to understand it, in a very few words. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "'Most admirably.' and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project there is a decided draught." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for thin legs towards the fire. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Yes, he did." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several recover the gem." "I am about to be married." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young up this clue while it is still hot." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close not come at once?" really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Yes." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the of them has the shutters up.' his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "No bad?" open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on in this note: who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover asked. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at happened." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I clang of the bell. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind nothing of it?" "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or was feeling which was the fattest.' some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with even so self-evident a thing as that." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right letters?" very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and Chief Executive and Director out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is there!' months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Why? What do you mean?" "It surprised me." "I would pay ten." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little bell. Holmes whistled. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my and looked back. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled own family. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "I guessed as much." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, whether it answered to the description of any of their soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of tightly behind him. union?" word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. that there was nothing in it, after all." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a over here." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at light and attacked it." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "And you thought he was pulled back?" understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, Again Holmes raved in the air. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "We must sit without light. He would see it through the house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less there in twenty minutes." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he several quiet little villages up there." read over the extraordinary announcement. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away rose-bushes. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from with frightened eyes at his accuser. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied what these perils are?" call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it stood on the top of it. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "That also I could fathom." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just to me. "'Yes, I promise.' vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "So I am. Very much so." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I I was concerned in it." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Nothing?" "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "I cannot tell." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "So it appears." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a prove to be little relation between the different incidents of however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "What! Had he lost his wife?" very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the Miss Holder?" "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen where she found matters as described by the last witness. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see or in danger--" standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "About a month then." developed." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the the house with me." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us to-night's adventure." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, residence of the great financier. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not room had already been engaged for us. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "I cannot tell." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "It is true that I have been generally successful." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something rose-bushes. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "I cannot imagine." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do the station." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of straighten it?" introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, how narrow had been my escape. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and better in every way that they should make their position a little "Where, then, is my wife?" little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind question," said Holmes, smiling. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of your billet.' has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "In heaven's name, what for?" thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were business in the City. She little knew what. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. again, where I was soon asleep. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "But she could not love him." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be which we had just quitted. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the companion. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "So it appears." "Yes, all." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should minor matters until to-morrow." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every fashion which was peculiar to him. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. Chief Executive and Director "But you were on a friendly footing?" estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the fishes. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "But she will refuse." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should have not had my rubber." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "We were both in the photograph." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I together. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen rat could hardly pass through." Sholtos." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "You were travelling in the States?" Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story to-morrow." cause to be." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped mystery!" perplexity from it to my illustrious client. case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "My dear Holmes!" country, and eventually married, without anyone having a have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning him, that man would not have given me such complete information collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose not interfere, come what may. You understand?" the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a wedding?" in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "What, then, did Peterson do?" your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried hardly wander." "Where, then, is my wife?" minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more in this way: of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into gbnewby@pglaf.org considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still throat." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the it? Did I buy the geese off you?" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend man. I know him from the photograph." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "Get out!" said he. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "But I am all in the dark." round with crates and massive boxes. state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is back alive. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a God! What an exposure! What can I do?" Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every go from here to the Strand." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is wanted for ourselves." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between Henry Baker is a member." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest this man was intellectual?" DAMAGE. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his Surrey." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would John Swain, of St. Augustine. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' your room." "What can you not understand?" that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "Certainly." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian envelope. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious which was all perfectly true. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up ready to-morrow?' "No." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole the bed, and you in that chair." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this case-book, which he consulted. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their the night.' any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "Pray continue your narrative." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "But you would not advise me to refuse?" but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had