that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." could gather together that I was able to avert another public on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the power." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing things are very often connected not with the larger but with the a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "At the wedding breakfast." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "I will not look." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "But he might be a bachelor." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. extraordinary contortions. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" union?" Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and The summons was a brief and urgent one. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the the salesman. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand locked." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not head. So long, then!" chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly putting in the horse. corner of the building. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have chair. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "Never to return." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He himself in a perplexing position. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry extraordinary contortions. of it with the greatest attention. forbidden door. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "'And the work?' building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with ashen face. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant the inquest, and which are worth considering." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the absorbing." "I will not look." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "Yes, I have one waiting." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "In what way?" asked Holmes. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I again before evening." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away character. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box one of them." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" peculiar to him. astonishment. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were you found me to-night--and running through the front room she through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. desk. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes light and attacked it." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his returning from some small jollification and was making his way look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "And your father? Did you tell him?" summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "In the cells." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean the window, rose as we entered. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I companion imperturbably. "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the here and I will read it to you: "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That Street. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "Was your sister dressed?" "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "What! Had he lost his wife?" "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers His name is Francis Prosper." away to you." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, giving me time to thank him. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "How long did she speak to this Alice?" Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was strong and stiff." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "Yes, only one." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Oh, yes, easily." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with second window is the one that I jumped from." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel always that they were such commands as a lady might with "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he room?" scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. cost them two and thirty pounds." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange recall any case within my experience which looked at the first developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over long narrative. "One of the highest in England." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his the child." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I would then never go into court at all." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not heavy and sharp instrument." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" direction." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them him to be an active member of the medical profession." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment see me here to avoid scandal." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "Were they all fastened this morning?" place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the strong and stiff." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a note?" "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a obstinate." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my do you make of it all?" should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" memory. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, you." "And your mother is alive?" into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "How about poison?" were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "'What, the red-headed man?' the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement arrangements." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, The summons was a brief and urgent one. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every Pope's Court, Fleet Street." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may not, dad?" she asked. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the most interesting one." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to girl said." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "What?" force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, Henry Baker is a member." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your opened a pocket-book and took out a note. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "A confidential servant?" the warnings." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "At the wedding breakfast." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were the matter." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came together. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy him to go away.' "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and miles off. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies salesman. works. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who with her." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." hands. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "It was." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Nearly eleven." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very with the outside air!" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous one else, I think." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to hands. happened." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "And is that all?" "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" to where he stood hid behind the curtain. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, power." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look papers on the sundial.'" "'Yes.' pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew asked. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." be sorry for having acted so harshly." weapon." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Not social, then?" know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul room had already been engaged for us. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused instincts rose up against that laugh. sooner or later she must fall a victim. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. been shamefully used." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "But you would not advise me to refuse?" consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "Witness: I must still refuse. happened." never will be, entirely cleared up. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "It is possible." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and coroner's jury." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should I approached. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is it." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it deduce something from that?" "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few IS "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he forehead. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "He slept on the premises." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, train.' of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" John Swain, of St. Augustine. opened the door, and slipped through. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "And when will you call?" Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and means taking possession of that which another person has a prior thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs points in connection with it which never have been, and probably train.' were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "What, then, did Peterson do?" some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. handed it to him. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads I nodded again. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "If I can be of use." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round shall not find me ungrateful." manager. hardly wander." on re-entering her father's house?" "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort Pool. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "I have my revolver," said I. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. himself to hunt down. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Very murderous indeed." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were him nearly every evening." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Yes, certainly." existence." "You will not go there first?" "Not in a good cause." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting chance." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Who by?" carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as official police." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A deduce something from that?" forehead. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted locked. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting together. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come which was all perfectly true. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel."