say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was thirty. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "And on what day did he meet his death?" some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon been with you?" printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "To ruin me." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a my room." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I pound a week." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the to talk it over. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very roused himself from his reverie. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The foot. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety is a common subject for conversation. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so she has been waylaid. There has been no result." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him so far?" "Witness: I must still refuse. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "The gentleman I describe." then?" in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a take the flies, but not before." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "'What would be the hours?' I asked. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, least a most suspicious remark." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed disappearance of these gems?" throat." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is is four-and-twenty." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "I am armed." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always hand, madam?" life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just only touch the interest." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and criminal. We have already had experience of such." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "So I have heard." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. she to prove their authenticity?" "'Certainly not. But why?' took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have to Leatherhead. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "No legal papers or certificates?" "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held works. See paragraph 1.E below. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "Oh, yes, easily." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Witness: It was. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "What office?" bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Then, how do you know?" used to be." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project he died? "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than events than those which have happened in my own family." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my October 9, 1890. asked. man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers him nearly every evening." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. so far?" endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Very much so." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to for securing the situation." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the strength." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of absolutely follow my advice in every respect." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "How did that help you?" typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the will take you up to see the machine.' upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I the night.' part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop grasp, he hurried from the room. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his For additional contact information: at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of humiliation." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my there was no need for father to know." "You have a clue?" certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with works. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "The knees of his trousers." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "One of the highest in England." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "An enemy?" "'A dozen yards or so.' upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few gbnewby@pglaf.org Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "None." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The you understand?" vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "But you can know nothing of this?" thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's letters?" "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the beg that you will break it off." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. envelope. "No." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "And how did you find out?" flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend fashion which was peculiar to him. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to John Swain, of St. Augustine. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with whole matter to your consideration." outside." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office disappearance of the bride.'" electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you sound at heart." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "What! Had he lost his wife?" "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Which are?" "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose I leave." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one confronted him. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "'Then let me do so?' about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. for its centre. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was know what is wrong with it.' would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning of Fenchurch Street." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter results." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' was a perfect sample of the class. to-night?" I asked. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "'Entirely.' Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have shoulder; "he's all right." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "Nothing." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a open." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Only as much as we can deduce." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it official police." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "One of his hands." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So was keenly on my guard against him. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "'Yes.' miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "I was certainly surprised to find you there." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would speckled band?" "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that me, and I could not think that his explanation of the our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and him, that man would not have given me such complete information with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "'And the work?' paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a discontent upon his features. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "I was mad--insane." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the touch that coronet?' I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "I have solved it." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked never to learn it at all." "It looks newer than the other things?" confronted him. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." possible that we could bring him back to her? help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "But how?" the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Frequently." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar before, for it was considerably after midnight. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs there when the Rucastles went away." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "'A dozen yards or so.' "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. the devil!" "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" from you?" For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "This concluded the examination of the witness." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" with some details as to your case." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. to change my dress. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method important." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "BALLARAT." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King Street. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face Miss Holder?" your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "I never have." shoulder. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "But she will refuse." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Murdered?" "'How far from the body?' branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your prepare for the new role I have to play." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the think, you have already met." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just Gutenberg-tm License. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from future lives." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put companion. questioning and rather startled gaze. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her of note-paper. It read in this fashion: bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "You think so, too?" look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the the salesman. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Nearly eleven." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap.