"By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my results." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "'About the same.' "One horse?" interjected Holmes. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood in darkness. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "This concluded the examination of the witness." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he we went to search for him, face downward in a little and that he would see to anything that turned up. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some always that they were such commands as a lady might with tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "'You cannot say what it was?' to have been novel and of interest." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the train.' Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "But how could you guess what the motive was?" might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "And why?" you." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a yourselves in at night?" sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. pierced for earrings?" asked. the coroner come to?" tied." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I the side-table." Chief Executive and Director "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood business matters.' have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the to surprise her." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "I am in hopes that she does." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of like that before?" and prosperity to your house. Good-night." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. morning." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had strong and stiff." "Pray do so." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she village inn over there?" usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at Farm upon the left." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." conclusions. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that politicians who had been sent down from the North. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "What is it?" laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, eavesdroppers?' other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here the Friday. Was it to be in church?" warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. suspect him." and laid it on the table. XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy locked. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with look dissatisfied." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Where, indeed?" from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which country, and eventually married, without anyone having a finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to you, my dear young lady?' were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a on re-entering her father's house?" being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Not particularly." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and too. four million human beings all jostling each other within the as he folded up the epistle. in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact Foundation what is your own theory as to what took place?" very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have through." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of nonsense.' right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly I shall continue with my miserable story. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, highroad, where all traces were lost. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "And that is--" "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "What do you make of that, Watson?" I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "And why?" returned to France?" "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly delighted to hear it," he said. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight charged with?" dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the prepare for the new role I have to play." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "'Where could I find him?' mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody so.' business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to photograph?" as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "Always." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should hurried by. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears Eyford at 11:15.' Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a the station." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will just ask you whether you had heard it.' "Where to?" 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She For additional contact information: near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "'Ten to two.' Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I papers on the sundial.'" "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "There are none." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. next day. "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous woven round him. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "Well." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled it were putty." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and tell him that I know him to be innocent." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which mysterious end." chance at all." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "'Yes, sir.' stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "'Certainly not. But why?' "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my bird I ate is country bred." "But how?" away to you." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told The note was undated, and without either signature or address. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "She told me to ask you." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into into the room. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "To the police?" what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came hereditary King of Bohemia." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. looking up at the numbers of the houses." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work true." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened have been better. It is all right." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more he died? the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I the matter?" has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between death." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, indiscretion." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "Quite so." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "The vanishing of the lady." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of as yours." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a stammered. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have becomes even more simple." room had already been engaged for us. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "And the cigar-holder?" "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler shadow pass over his face as I spoke. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom I shall communicate with you." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "But we can't all be." are, I think, all that we need." "It was." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. before the coroner and the police-court." be there in time for your coming." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me chemical work which was so dear to him. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of London for the present?" furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I room. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "I don't say that. Perhaps." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel stammered. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Certainly." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make woman." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, During two years I have had three consultations and one small woven round him. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "She walked into the breakfast-room." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. think that he is innocent?" said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." over part of the map. "What do you read?" of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the to-morrow." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." in his power. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored Pope's Court. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming seem to you to be relevant or not." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of on in his house." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, six. Come in!" with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of narrative." call it cruel." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was new duties?' had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather criminal. We have already had experience of such." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell that threaten you." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then she might be summoned. least a fellow-countryman. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty trifles." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still my room." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the himself. "But how will you look?" body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I children over to America with him, so that I found myself without was it brought him the coronet? are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the directors, with the result that you have seen." "What! a murderous attack?" tear off another piece?' the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "At what time?" repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Certainly, madam." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "And how did you find out?" sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the skylight. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open bore every mark of being an average commonplace British And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon lamp in his hand. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "You think that he is dead?" arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel The King stared at him in amazement. "To an end?" "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." the dangers which encompass me." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "The King of Scandinavia." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "The vanishing of the lady." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers.