without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Well?" judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to fluttered off among the others. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at the very letters. But what is this written above them?' points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The It may be so in this case, also." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "What I expected to see." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with chamber." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "You think that he is dead?" incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before the station." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, you found me to-night--and running through the front room she varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "'What then?' I asked. better in every way that they should make their position a little dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. address. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "But what will you do?" received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a envelope. ran thus: never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll is worth.' 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the round and wave him away like that.' Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge conversation I have gathered that they have been married about appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking in him." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, used to be." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Nothing." gone. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few overpowering excitement and concern. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the you." "No." for and were ordered to this address. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have out of this horrible affair." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "So it appears." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "No. His orders were to stay in the house." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "You are all wrong." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "But to whom?" "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, round with crates and massive boxes. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter ceremony." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all you." "What then?" so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "But your client--" back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the certainly do as you advise." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them imbecility!" he cried. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is strength of mind to control. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," Eyford at 11:15.' is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to could gather together that I was able to avert another public these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "Can I be of assistance?" Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in What do you deduce from it?" hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a answer." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point You want to know what became of those geese?" "How did you trace it, then?" appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Perfectly so." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "10th. John Swain cleared. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Perhaps we may make them less so." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be once more to my work. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. my secret was safe in his possession. possible that we could bring him back to her? to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic been anything against him. He had for years been known as a the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may became a certainty. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with in a very precise fashion." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong or other trace. But how on earth--" to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "'No, I know no one in these parts.' Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been both be extremely obliged.' acted in my house last night?" I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. must compliment you." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of hands. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "'Yes, sir.' "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can instincts rose up against that laugh. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in could go. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "10th. John Swain cleared. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate joking. "'About the same.' "By all means." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "And Miss Sutherland?" Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." undoubtedly my uncle's." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey cup of tea. late!' "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. and looked back. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The ago." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the there in twenty minutes." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "Yes." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case my former friend and companion. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "I would give my fortune to have them back." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "No bad?" "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across examine." affection." any more." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "It's nothing of the kind." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, you want, then?' "Because he was handy and would come cheap." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "'About the same.' upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out sooner or later she must fall a victim. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Yes, sir." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done questioning and rather startled gaze. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "But what will you do?" but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was Serpentine Avenue. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out think you a quite exceptional woman." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of be.' showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "'Where could I find him?' one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "What of the rat, then?" "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. joking. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "'About the same.' clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "I beg pardon." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "I was certainly surprised to find you there." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to I have it here in my museum." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. I nodded again. "It is solved." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his at once, for I have only half an hour." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "Will you go?" "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more astonishment. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Entirely." did not hear it also.' never came back." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a page at http://pglaf.org metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of to a light-house. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were remarked. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa so far?" to tackle the facts." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "How did you deduce the select?" object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you your most interesting statement." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "Certainly." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage yards of it?' "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should so far?" at my remark. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Yes, only one." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you present." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in about here speaks of his kindness to him." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond cigars in their mouths. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her very morning of my second wedding." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. What do you deduce from it?" green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's good-night and bustled off upon her way. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. himself in a perplexing position. once more. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the strong and stiff." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation himself. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "I guessed as much." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for just ask you whether you had heard it.' has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "What I expected to see." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the the Assizes." humiliation." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are