Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "I have hopes." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Perhaps I have." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "Yes." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "And how did you find out?" I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "She will not sell." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "No, my brougham is waiting." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which his grey eyes. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a upon the shelf for the interim." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It here." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "'And what are they worth?' I asked. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "I cannot think." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "That's no good." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "What can it mean?" I gasped. I. instincts rose up against that laugh. recover the gem." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "I have seen the police." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself you give your casting vote to?" and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that obstinate." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "And help." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his the King without delay." "I cannot imagine." guilty one." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to about here speaks of his kindness to him." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a him nearly every evening." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be not come at once?" his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and Project Gutenberg-tm works. vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." is worth.' wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and without success. At last the little money which I had saved began face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you keep the flames under. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "And how did you find out?" her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from searched, without anything being found which could incriminate you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "Ah!" "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a know what is wrong with it.' of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "'Certainly not.' shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." been." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out cigars in their mouths. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "Not social, then?" and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the Does that suggest anything?" of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "But she will refuse." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded gigantic client. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way was shining brightly. to me. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to it." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "Her father is very rich?" believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. of." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power mystery may be cleared along those lines." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is stood on the top of it. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "Is he quiet?" "'Never,' said I. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Where did he live, then?" and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa have had none more fantastic than this." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, bore every mark of being an average commonplace British Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then right! Sit down and let us talk it over." imbecility!" he cried. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small may have an influence upon European history." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the trying to your nerves." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "And how in the world did you find them?" "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which and wait." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there morning." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. Mary, has deserted me." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "I have hopes." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I works. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire redistribution. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "No?" recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Then, as to money?" "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am late!' and laid it on the table. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have that he has suffered." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Then the page we have seen--" these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. eat it." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at good-night and bustled off upon her way. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend golden eyeglasses. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Yes, there are nearly always some there." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "'I shall certainly be there.' "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "So I have heard." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally you." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' problems help me to do so." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while returning from some small jollification and was making his way corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six grasp, he hurried from the room. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge acted in my house last night?" Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "Stoke Moran?" said he. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, had picked up in the wood. "What of the rat, then?" itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, careless servant girl?" every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and his fortune, and I went back to pa. "Yes, it was twisted." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Do you know him?" receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem awkward doing business with an alias." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I in his hands." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be light and attacked it." in the dead of the night?' old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "What, then, did Peterson do?" "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to test if we have an answer to our advertisement." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into burst into a hearty fit of laughter. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough himself in a perplexing position. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. Holmes. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She not come at once?" the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters future lives." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "Imitated." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "Yes, it would be as well." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "At what time?" "Never." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "He is still with you, I presume?" "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a leaning back in his chair. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "Very. But will he see it?" You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Married! When?" could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The success. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she papers diligently of late, have you not?" three of the beryls in it, was missing. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "The Cedars?" way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and held up the lantern and gazed about him. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending a few minutes he said that it would be all right. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "It is very kind of you." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he was feeling which was the fattest.' Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and this truth that in these little records of our cases which you over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than crime. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news dramatic, in fact." "You have but to name it." "At the wedding breakfast." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "I have hopes." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their His name is Francis Prosper." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the too.