better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "Where, indeed?" "No." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "I have a cab outside." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have people in all walks of life. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Of what?" works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is shall not find me ungrateful." "Whose house is it?" unkempt, staring out at me. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little you." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" closing the door. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony about. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "At what time?" but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "But his left-handedness." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "What?" into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the McCarthy." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in in his power. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "'Then let me do so?' "Yes, all." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in to tell." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has your only hope of safety." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any people in all walks of life. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "Have you it here?" received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near and your relations to her." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE introspective fashion. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to depend upon my doing so.' them?" the so-precious time, but come!' I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be has little to do with my story." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of one else, I think." sooner or later she must fall a victim. instituted." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "Deserted you?" however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can to take care of herself." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Whose house is it?" quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "He said that you could solve anything." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where whether it answered to the description of any of their was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had front of the hall door has given its name to the place. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is in the dead of the night?' exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "We must have a cab." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that 1.F. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the opportunities to fix the problem. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over has little to do with my story." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what meanly of me." your room." open." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and and wait." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "No legal papers or certificates?" over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I Literary Archive Foundation during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it your troubles." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without some water from a caraffe. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Witness: I must still refuse. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and get her out of the way." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I Leadenhall Street--and--" card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." DAMAGE. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "Very. But will he see it?" "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "I cannot imagine." bedroom door." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the tightly behind him. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "No, thank goodness, she did not." be. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Precisely." minor matters until to-morrow." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your the inner apartment." and that he would see to anything that turned up. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building prove to be little relation between the different incidents of few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "'Oh, no.' shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all generous with you in money matters.' my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his of Fenchurch Street." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. that he will be back before evening." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "The landlord of the Alpha." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he it." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "BALLARAT." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." who was a member of your goose club." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "A call for help, you thought?" "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when man. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "Tired-looking or fresh?" five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "What can you not understand?" in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." to surprise her." than to us. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes fled together." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Thank you. Pray proceed." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the conceal it?" points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. notes," he said. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this meant." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was fluttered off among the others. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her people in all walks of life. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, call for it in person on Monday morning.' the bottom.' "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father the stable lane now." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" meant." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked Does that suggest anything?" time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "But what will you do?" ourselves in the office." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, the so-precious time, but come!' arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. character. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "Absolutely?" know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "'And what are they worth?' I asked. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. nonsense.' however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my from you?" foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "She showed me, as I told you she would." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up as the one I chose?' himself to hunt down. directly by questioning you." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between himself to hunt down. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of house for five minutes.' had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, you?" must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in you." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. acquaintance?" to change my dress. one else, I think." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': means taking possession of that which another person has a prior A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was is acting for the best. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from was already answered. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward address. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as events than those which have happened in my own family." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel waste of energy." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "Yes, at the mines." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "I cannot imagine." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the chamber." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out of." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Come in!" said he. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, o'clock is it?" orange pips. "Game for a morning drive?" evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a presume?" may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I Again Holmes raved in the air. quickly through a disagreeable task. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "I see many objections to any such theory." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be an introduction to him?" away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and secret." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "The rest you will leave in our hands." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "What can you not understand?" so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Thank you. Pray proceed." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and villagers almost as much as their master. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at are, and they are waiting for us." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "'How far from the body?' conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "That was it, sir." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "No." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there there were one or two details which were new to me. But the Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "I will not look." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and flock.' I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." writers could invent nothing more crude." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been your own bird, so if you wish--" rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "'There is a drive, then?' conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set