30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had any little problem which you may submit to me." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "But you would not advise me to refuse?" at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went seen the man in the road." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "I would pay ten." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Oh, yes, easily." "'I have heard so.' top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "'What would be the hours?' I asked. Stoke Moran." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Why, it's a dummy," said he. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle entirely devoid of interest." wedding?" arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen his fortune, and I went back to pa. "It certainly sounds feasible." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation bachelor.' "In what way?" asked Holmes. me. You must get home instantly and act." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the these bleak autumnal evenings." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "I have my revolver," said I. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH direction." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own should be taken.' rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, ran thus: "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you them present such singular features as the strange train of occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Here?" his face. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her cigars in the box." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "It is a murder, then?" and the whole place is in a blaze." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a the morning and make my own way in the world.' few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a union?" possible that we could bring him back to her? "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Yes, certainly." "'Yes.' him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable meant." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in and all of them with the keenest interest. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment outsides of the windows. "I should be immensely obliged to you." only touch the interest." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. weary and pale-looking. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Your sister is dead, then?" other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. to you." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "But I have heard all that you have heard." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the the dangers which encompass me." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, your Highness to the police-station?" He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "From his hat?" "Precisely so. But how--" planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' south, for the country is more deserted there." "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do ceremony." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last away into the river." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "Where did you address your letters, then?" "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked woman." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the heavily into it. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "The murder was done with it." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "Is he quiet?" "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "Precisely." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time questionable one." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the the coronet in his hand?" this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "'In my own bureau.' "I am all attention, madam." "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, laugh and put his lips to my ear. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "You know me, then?" "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two bore every mark of being an average commonplace British half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery III. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he existence." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "She will not sell." British peeress.'" "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Yes." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the done what I asked you, Jones?" then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers this truth that in these little records of our cases which you not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear deduce something from that?" window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Won't it ring?" "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing seem to you to be relevant or not." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat to miss it." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. generous with you in money matters.' our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could more terrible than the truth. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment may never be exposed to such a temptation." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "But what will you do?" whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land the inner apartment." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they but preventing her from injuring another. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." cost them two and thirty pounds." eavesdroppers?' in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My good for you to do.' lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate spark where all is dark to me." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had so.' governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently horse could go." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your later, upon the night of May 2nd." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "Certainly." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry brain must have something in it." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I *** START: FULL LICENSE *** absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "No, I had a dozen." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard time." as he remarks, very much against the son." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "She told me to ask you." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." October 9, 1890. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had the coroner come to?" quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "'Yes, it was gone.' "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and relief. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "No, I am descending." "To an English lawyer named Norton." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and I think that I could be of assistance to you." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You joking. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a to some other building. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him could gather together that I was able to avert another public "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "But his lameness?" writing, and yet I know it well." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "Nothing." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my ourselves in the office." 1.E.9. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the beyond words. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "Is he quiet?" and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. tapping his fingers upon the table. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." your troubles." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Well, but China?" the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a my little problems." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with and no precautions can guard against." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "I warn you that they are very incomplete." be.' mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Whose house is it?" "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' sufficient punishment." any little problem which you may submit to me." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "But your client--" and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if the bottom.' the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, tell him that I know him to be innocent." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my back alive. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "'No, I know no one in these parts.' mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "What then?" his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on nights." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was for the market.' other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for their singular warning or token before them when starting upon first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up it right.' III. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those