and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their washing it down with a long draught of water. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand stood on the top of it. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the infinite languor in his face. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little them present such singular features as the strange train of Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. certainly not very gracious." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded have one." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first would apply.' unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and chambers. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our it." said he. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. dear old homesteads?" was lame." him." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the the coronet at all injured?" forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "Where, then, is my wife?" lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day McCarthy's innocence. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Get out!" said he. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had room had already been engaged for us. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the absorbing." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "The gentleman I describe." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her matter over." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. for and were ordered to this address. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" least a fellow-countryman. "'Certainly not.' submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but I leave." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "How did that help you?" staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and money should be paid at once.' "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Her father is very rich?" it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no be.' is," said he presently: "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "No, I had a dozen." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "You did not overhear what they said?" have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who closely." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our nothing of it?" sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and my special province." him nearly every evening." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" place of silver." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and to-night?' about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you and the church but not where the lady lived." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too said I. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Why did you beat the pavement?" "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary was feeling which was the fattest.' my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my photograph a cabinet?" "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Very. But will he see it?" "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the been." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a in my life." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in very morning of my second wedding." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger them, and came down just as you departed. "What! You do not mean bodies?" remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" intimate personal affairs in this public manner." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "None." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his dear old homesteads?" matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Stoke Moran?" said he. fishes. keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of already been minutely examined." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "Her father is very rich?" again before evening." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "Your presence might be invaluable." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know conversation I have gathered that they have been married about were unconscious?" can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is outside. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable simple cases which are so extremely difficult." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "It must be recovered." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately habit of advancing money.' Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. morning." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "You are all wrong." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a and your relations to her." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover Holmes rather sternly. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, him. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the better grown goose." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he respectable self." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs secret." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "But how will you look?" 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." straighten it?" when you have done it." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your examine." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do his wife has ceased to love him." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. hands. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "It is very kind of you." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would tell him that I know him to be innocent." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an is worth.' "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' in his hands." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "What do you make of that, Watson?" companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "It certainly sounds feasible." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose gentleman's clothes. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "My dear Holmes!" your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their examination of the premises, but without finding anything which and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close weigh very heavily upon my conscience." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, particular state visit http://pglaf.org turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "I am all attention, madam." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if you in your example." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "I cannot imagine." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" help us in this matter." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with could not have written that. It is the German who is so companion quietly. bearing upon the case." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the walking." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "I cannot imagine." "'Is purely nominal.' why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at other lovers by making love himself." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "But she could not love him." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening the driver. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the and no precautions can guard against." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Never." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "I would give my fortune to have them back." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, were unconscious?" "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said prepare for the new role I have to play." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence front of me. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "I beg pardon." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional said he, "my real name is James Ryder." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, During two years I have had three consultations and one small dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely do." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Do you know him?" "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Do you receive much company?" he asked. there." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "But I have heard all that you have heard." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in with some details as to your case." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building ashen face. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "The landlord of the Alpha." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a other means.' "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "What!" he roared. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads upon the white wrist. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of ceremony." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant Clair, of Lee." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived few hundred pounds.' "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" started for the Temple to see my husband. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down in this way: "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after official police." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped