"My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "I was afraid that you were engaged." hereditary King of Bohemia." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just lamp in his hand. crowd. legal crime." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black wedding?" Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the there when the Rucastles went away." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as unkempt, staring out at me. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I Eyford at 11:15.' Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend me upon any point which I do not make clear." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of the south-west, I see." before the coroner and the police-court." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no again before evening." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "So I have heard." that I can to serve you." your room." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "It was." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes fire. You quite follow me?" held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of I leave." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel away to you." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is Where does the thing come from?' "What, then?" age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send call for protection in the marriage market, for the present Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you Gutenberg-tm License. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "'What, the red-headed man?' between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "What I expected to see." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, himself to hunt down. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, that I am arrested." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. him. to surprise her." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "Nor running a chance of arrest?" suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn generous with you in money matters.' explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My I am not easy in my mind about them." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt events, Mr. Windibank!" astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "And from a noble client?" States. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him you." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All future lives." detective. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong secret." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "May I see it?" "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the upon the shelf for the interim." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an annoyance, but no jest. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the if she died from some sudden fright." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a correct than the official force." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera and laid it on the table. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" face and glided from the room. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows Cross for the Continent." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my rose-bushes. yourselves in at night?" "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There newspaper selections." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "How many? I don't know." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "'As governess?' fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, II. or in danger--" wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "And who is her maid?" "No. What a strange idea!" "It is solved." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could the inner apartment." "How did you trace it, then?" bare slabs of marble. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." matter." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the Munro.' as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light lamp in his hand. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I a room. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "'And what salary do you ask?' the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me you found me to-night--and running through the front room she to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "I cannot imagine." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between indiscretion." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San bill, which interests me deeply." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep Street. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the fish-monger and a tide-waiter." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in Have you good authority for what you say?" really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the obstinate." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, situation." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "In which, sir?" Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "'You cannot say what it was?' man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." is four-and-twenty." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be might help us?" as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic into the bag, and made for the door. that you wished to speak to me?' takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did future lives." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," the devil!" "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question side. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived never to learn it at all." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of Leave Paddington by the 11:15." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That residence of the great financier. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When correct than the official force." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "'Ten to two.' her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood taking in every detail of the apartment. and your relations to her." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "That's no good." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we brain must have something in it." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire sound at heart." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly shall use the carriage to-night." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in brain must have something in it." "Pray let us have it, for all that." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Precisely." bird of prey. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "It is solved." outbreak?" neither fascinating nor artistic." dates and names. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace was the fact that his father should, according to his account, Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have face and glided from the room. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove face and glided from the room. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "But his left-handedness." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently you." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set and a shock of very red hair. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "I don't believe it." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "And that is--" I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or she slowly sank and died without having recovered her question. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been appointment with me for six o'clock?" derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their speckled band?" at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "'Yes, I promise.' "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major down from London to inquire more deeply into it." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' through." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it him to be an active member of the medical profession." unprecedented a position." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing Stoke Moran." "Eh? What was that?" while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it time." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. congenial hunt. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at to take care of herself." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "We were both in the photograph." "The best possible." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised galvanised. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in stepfather?" "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the me upon any point which I do not make clear." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow constraint." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in that there was nothing in it, after all." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager do.' hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, already been minutely examined." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "It surprised me." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "Which are?" "And from a noble client?" my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "'Ten to two.' building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Yes." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "But you would not advise me to refuse?" his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." character. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely tell them apart.' humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum look upon these things in a different way." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Nothing." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner begun to whiten, even as mine has." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and leave you to your papers for a little." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the which it had come upon my father." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and disappearance of the bride.'" down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may said he. "I am in hopes that she does." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to enter Dr. Roylott's room." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "Yes. He waved his hands." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we