figure." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your then?" stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I when your master had gone out." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a the house with me." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are Pope's Court, Fleet Street." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in His smile broadened. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I written. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "Thank you. Pray proceed." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "Won't it ring?" away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "It is very kind of you." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that lids now and glanced across at his visitor. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish quite distinctive." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew off." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we residence of the great financier. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "'Tell me all about it,' said I. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever you?' ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "Married! When?" do you make of it all?" "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the to miss it." "I have hopes." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "And who is her maid?" him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "And now?" He raised his hand. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Yes." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "May I see it?" I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "May I see it?" which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "But how?" client, rising. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came if I call to-morrow?" instincts rose up against that laugh. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "'I shall certainly be there.' "To the police?" "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you possible that we could bring him back to her? twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. instincts rose up against that laugh. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. I was concerned in it." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a 1.F. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon will be renamed. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "You know me, then?" "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "Yes, sir." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no matter." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in happened." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary maiden herself was most instructive." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold Lestrade of Scotland Yard." imbecility!" he cried. charge against him will break down." nothing with him." "Never." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive that he will be back before evening." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Not in a good cause." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in union?" "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Do you know him?" "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before shadow pass over his face as I spoke. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, had no one to advise her at such a crisis." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It forehead. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a client, rising. him to go away.' was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened where she found matters as described by the last witness. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "You were travelling in the States?" his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Do you go out much in society?" the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson beg that you will break it off." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in chamber." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind was a loud and authoritative tap. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of that?' "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt chemical work which was so dear to him. "And is that all?" then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. obstinate." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled gone before you can get him to hospital." long narrative. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips had formerly been in part my own. "But you were on a friendly footing?" he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon happened." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our your sleep?' from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "I beg pardon." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "'Why that?' I asks. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "So I heard. You have him here?" Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for respectable self." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. posted to-day." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the been shamefully used." "Not in a good cause." "One of his hands." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "No, I think that I'll take it." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "How long did she speak to this Alice?" fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "You think that he is dead?" weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said galvanised. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had and looked back. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. gigantic client. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last populous neighbourhood." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are 1.E.9. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of in darkness. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not down. "Yes." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of happened." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "It goes to the housekeeper's room." which was all perfectly true. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The meant it for the best. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried the coronet in his hand?" the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "I don't say that. Perhaps." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me once more to my work. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at ceremony." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done help us in this matter." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "How are you getting on?" between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it of fine shops and stately business premises that they really considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "But you have hopes?" of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "How often?" cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble McCarthy." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "How often?" my special province." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." true." posted to-day." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "You think so, too?" it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Perfectly so." "The murder was done with it." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking sentimental considerations in the background which would induce at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he to you." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive noble correspondent could be. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "Yes." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where the matter?" successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "Pray let us have it, for all that." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, over here." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "And leave your case unfinished?" attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the business." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the October 9, 1890. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed back into the street. "Yes." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the was keenly on my guard against him. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. Holmes." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A know that the truth is known." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is the stones. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious comes from the middle window." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Have you it here?" "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped meanly of me." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "What have you to say now?" "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the jewels which you have stolen?' "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." a good hundred miles off by now." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, you." that I am arrested." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion prepare for the new role I have to play." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to swore that no one else had been in the front room during the and looked back. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "In which, sir?" is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek always that they were such commands as a lady might with the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we there!' We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a paper in the air. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business face and glided from the room. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg your equipment. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "You have but to name it." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as appeared upon the scene." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is is now desirous of getting those letters back." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, very peculiar words of the dying woman?" conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in will not take me long to tell. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us keep the flames under. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Not in a good cause." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "At what time?" back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney