into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. I took the paper from him and read as follows: lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin him and tried to hold him back. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. noting anything else of interest. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid tapping his fingers upon the table. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "He is dead," cried several voices. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. father's place of business?" "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. License. You must require such a user to return or manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had Serpentine Avenue. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' cigar and let me expound." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "This photograph!" that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less this remarkable episode. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a thin legs towards the fire. possible that we could bring him back to her? shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's crime. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge better in every way that they should make their position a little should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me garden below. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not call for it in person on Monday morning.' Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must sufficient punishment." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a what I may call a really hard day's work." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "Now, then, what's the last entry?" frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of must be when I saw the door open.' possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "The vanishing of the lady." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "I shall most certainly do so." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something always that they were such commands as a lady might with "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary I am not easy in my mind about them." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause his grey eyes. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. notes," he said. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you opened the door, and slipped through. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of you." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "And you don't know his address?" hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question indiscretion." happened." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "'Stolen!' he cried. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go had a long day." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower maid will bring up your coffee." "But you can know nothing of this?" "Not in a good cause." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were congratulate you again." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, very peculiar words of the dying woman?" time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "I should like to see him very much." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a status with the IRS. records." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Yes, there are nearly always some there." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "The Coroner: What do you mean? the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all ourselves in the office." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "It is true that I have been generally successful." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a was feeling which was the fattest.' inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "But how did you gain them?" though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my Clair, of Lee." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "'Not at all. I only doubt--' staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "You saw the ventilator, too?" introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with mystery." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily direction." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that letters?" foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was arrangements." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter think that any burglar could have done. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and him nearly every evening." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "An accident, I presume?" "What then?" grasp, he hurried from the room. "Ha! you find it so?" that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution confronted him. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off call for protection in the marriage market, for the present dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at or in danger--" week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "How many? I don't know." was keenly on my guard against him. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "It came here." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "Game for a morning drive?" is four-and-twenty." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, indeed happy." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a in his power. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's train from Paddington which would bring you there at about his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, to-morrow." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "What will you say?" it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "'And the work?' "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must had no one to advise her at such a crisis." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my and all of them with the keenest interest. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a less than 26s. 4d. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who bled considerably." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "'Not at all. I only doubt--' following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "My opinion is in no way altered." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "But who is he?" "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "An accident, I presume?" silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "BALLARAT." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was London for the present?" his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was thought that she would have been so carried away." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was gives a meaning to it." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the hopeless attempt at recovering them." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER for its centre. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "But it has twice been burgled." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Well, it is a possible supposition." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "'Why that?' I asks. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any up this clue while it is still hot." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." in his power. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your may have an influence upon European history." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as where Mr. Fordham shows you.' legal crime." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross ordinary clothes on?" to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I are, and they are waiting for us." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round o'clock is it?" back into the street. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some our word." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But thirty. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be chill to my heart. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And that before taking the final step I should like to submit the and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. memory. "It is possible." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me looking up at the numbers of the houses." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I that threaten you." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "Then you may be so with me." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an your troubles." Lee, in the county of Kent." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become the side-table." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "I should be immensely obliged to you." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A of the efforts of the United States government and of the better the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "'It is locked up,' I answered. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "My stepfather's business papers." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal him, that man would not have given me such complete information 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Stolen, then." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. was already answered. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who sparkled upon his finger. electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to direction." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal which it had come upon my father." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. do." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" their singular warning or token before them when starting upon pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a the roots. mystery!" best detective that ever lived. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry