"To ruin me." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. foresight and the moral retrogression?" carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable which I could not give. He asked for Alice. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Yes, that is the Crown." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "It is very kind of you." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical shoulder; "he's all right." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, case before our client came into the room." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. bedroom door." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "Why, it's a dummy," said he. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me London for the present?" his face. "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "So I am. Very much so." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "'Ten to two.' and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and could gather together that I was able to avert another public dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own gone. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that been anything against him. He had for years been known as a there when the Rucastles went away." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from himself to tell his story. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a purpose of examination. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "It is possible." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my ago." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, Surrey." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small to have been novel and of interest." problems help me to do so." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and did not hear it also.' "Then you may be so with me." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. hour." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Which are?" suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little round with crates and massive boxes. What do you deduce from it?" was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not which I could not give. He asked for Alice. the tragedy. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of investigation." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "An enemy?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "Nothing." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. in a very precise fashion." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot nice household for a young lady." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall morning." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each wife's character?" assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "On Monday." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and joking. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "'I have heard so.' submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. gone before you can get him to hospital." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of were unconscious?" something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether six. Come in!" incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I of the way of danger. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square about here speaks of his kindness to him." indeed happy." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped IS We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Then I shall certainly come." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss a very grave face. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Why did you pick him?" Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a other, as fresh and trim as possible. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads observed. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "Do you go out much in society?" once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "'What, the red-headed man?' the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could upon the sideboard." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. business came to an end." and capable of preserving a secret.' in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and go back?" be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "Nor running a chance of arrest?" saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. a good hundred miles off by now." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? This is what he says: "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "I am to be neutral?" In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "Witness: Nothing definite. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the redistribution. trifles." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as stalked out of the room. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "By all means." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "No legal papers or certificates?" away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see easy-going way." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord a suggestive one." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "Ample." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "But she will refuse." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project undoubtedly my uncle's." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" written. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a me what he had done with the three missing stones. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far figure." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." indeed which he could not unravel. "I am in hopes that she does." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss thought that she would have been so carried away." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed my former friend and companion. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told 1.E.9. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Have you it here?" you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. meant it for the best. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I get her out of the way." directly by questioning you." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian Sutherland?" found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This in the port of London." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those chair. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "'In my own bureau.' "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "Where did he live, then?" business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "Not social, then?" front of the hall door has given its name to the place. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "Precisely." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Dr. Becher's." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and lumber-room." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not was a loud and authoritative tap. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "And help." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "But she could not love him." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away main points of my analysis." bare slabs of marble. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of I shall continue with my miserable story. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to Clair, of Lee." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug charged with?" tell him that I know him to be innocent." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She has little to do with my story." "Have you it here?" of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook such attractions and accomplishments?' Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your anything to do with the matter?" preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every ordinary clothes on?" the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by prisoner's face. business matters.' "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "'In my own bureau.' opportunities to fix the problem. fishes. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have when you have done it." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old meant." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Then I am your man." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be there was no need for father to know." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose appointment with me for six o'clock?" waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "I never have." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. business came to an end." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "I am armed." not personally threatened." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "Pray continue your narrative." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled The summons was a brief and urgent one. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the morning." "And how have you succeeded?" the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "Ample." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she lips." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than papers must be those that are destroyed.' "No, thank goodness, she did not." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police this poor creature." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, your troubles." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Then how many are there?" "I should wish to." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now fire. You quite follow me?" the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Certainly." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason works. See paragraph 1.E below. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such presume?" whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few and I shall be with you presently." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate the very morning of the wedding." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, had picked up in the wood. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless weighed down with some great anxiety. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes