front of the hall door has given its name to the place. one which it was hard to resist. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "You don't mind breaking the law?" it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." yet." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be once more to my work. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "Eh? What was that?" outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the or other trace. But how on earth--" "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place questioning and rather startled gaze. already been minutely examined." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court I nodded again. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she intrusion of other matters." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Where did you address your letters, then?" "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "I am following you closely," I answered. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Ha! you find it so?" some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre one of the states of the Union." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is From what you have told me I think that it is possible that was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Thank you. And your address?" Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. them?" hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "Yes." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue soul! here is her carriage at the door." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "In the cells." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "She will not sell." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense hereditary King of Bohemia." window when the police appeared." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your ways of our fellow-men." nonsense.' was the fact that his father should, according to his account, The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Quite so." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a records." head. So long, then!" but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. have one." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to trying to your nerves." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "And Miss Sutherland?" "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich page at http://pglaf.org rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Perhaps I have." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Then, as to money?" has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from one or two very singular points about this room. For example, I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual so.' allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" place, I think that there is good ground to think that the is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," very old mansion. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "No." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss night.' said he. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "An enemy?" in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Dark enough and sinister enough." wedding?" said I. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own there in twenty minutes." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from once more for Briony Lodge. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists important." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "What do you mean?" you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very you, my dear young lady?' greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I down in his armchair and closing his eyes. your room." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "'Yes, it was gone.' "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. will be renamed. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. have not had my rubber." congratulate you again." breakfast?" "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "I think it very unlikely." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything with her." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "Yes." "But how?" against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. and wait." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. remarked. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to already been minutely examined." past. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "Not particularly." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I him. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "I would pay ten." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a thought that she would have been so carried away." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." room?" search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, I think that I could be of assistance to you." suspect him." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! where we are going." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which wedding?" The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "And I." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different down. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical James Windibank. Voilà tout!" pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then The summons was a brief and urgent one. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and there in twenty minutes." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never conversation I have gathered that they have been married about upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with village inn over there?" the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded at once, for I have only half an hour." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET conclusions. the running down." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." away to you." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing these bleak autumnal evenings." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, Heh?' he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their good-night and bustled off upon her way. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in and prosperity to your house. Good-night." allusion to a rat. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. details." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible least a fellow-countryman. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from Sutherland. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an and your relations to her." populous neighbourhood." "Look there!" said he. "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' one or two very singular points about this room. For example, good for you to do.' friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend residence of the great financier. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "What can it mean?" I gasped. heavily into it. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we how narrow had been my escape. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "And now?" I asked. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "What shall I do?" photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it room had already been engaged for us. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I out of this horrible affair." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few man. "In which, sir?" leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Ten will be early enough." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see behind me. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, conduct the inquiry." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most where Mr. Fordham shows you.' Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have cause to be." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, stood on the top of it. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "What is it, then--a fire?" observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a 'I should be able to look after that for you.' The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his help us in this matter." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' said Mr. Holder. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would direction." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked him to go away.' bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. minor matters until to-morrow." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I promised to bring home. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you all?" "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me morning." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business possible that we could bring him back to her? should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be the coronet at all injured?" "No, finished." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "To an end?" when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and charge against him will break down." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there any more." business?" "And from a noble client?" formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic present." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been place of silver." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be."