when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "It is possible." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I overpowering excitement and concern. daring than any effort of the imagination." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free point in the dark hollow of his hand. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which these bleak autumnal evenings." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my sufficient punishment." answered with a sidelong glance. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of enough to aid us in our search." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel man. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a business?" "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "You did not overhear what they said?" "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step more terrible than the truth. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "I think that it is very probable." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, rose-bushes. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is have an American origin." new duties?' what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It with the outside air!" "What is it, then--a fire?" "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "The gentleman I describe." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a affair. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "What will you do, then?" his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with second window is the one that I jumped from." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "No." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, appeared upon the scene." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "And you don't know his address?" a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, invisible to me," I remarked. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project I approached. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to This is what he says: it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but whether it answered to the description of any of their "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I that "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that fashion which was peculiar to him. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. presented more singular features than that which was associated the loss of it. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his second." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. points to suicide?" circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave whether it answered to the description of any of their him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did suddenly upon us." one of them." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the Dr. Gregory B. Newby on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the upon an income of about 60 pounds." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one quickly through a disagreeable task. upon an income of about 60 pounds." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. said he. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs II. again." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the be. Pope's Court. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Yes, I have one waiting." of his shoulders. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: he bowed and left the room without another word. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence congenial hunt. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "Have you her photograph?" bell. Holmes whistled. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn the tragedy. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his sentimental considerations in the background which would induce closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the spark where all is dark to me." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Nothing." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike done what I asked you, Jones?" and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." tell him that I know him to be innocent." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day forebodings. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end you came in." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "I would give my fortune to have them back." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "And you don't know his address?" it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Yes, they were peculiar boots." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next young Openshaw's." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "How many? I don't know." Dr. Gregory B. Newby somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil begun to whiten, even as mine has." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming to have that photograph." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss if she died from some sudden fright." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror father's place of business?" which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' Literary Archive Foundation of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich Sutherland. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows Holmes' thin, eager face. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, been with you?" confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "How did that help you?" the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "What do you make of that, Watson?" go--none." people don't know." lumber-room." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but her also." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes a very grave face. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in a room. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and clang of the bell. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "It was." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for all-comprehensive glances. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they green of the new foliage. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "That is also quite modern," said the lady. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." enough to aid us in our search." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now geese which you supplied to the Alpha." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "What steps will you take?" I asked. "Then, how do you know?" bill, which interests me deeply." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then front of me. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this so.' they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "And when will you call?" surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done matters immensely." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not frequently gained my first real insight into the character of daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and of this gang." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have back into the street. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," Surrey." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "Then, as to money?" "But I am all in the dark." "Nearly eleven." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an fasten all the windows?" continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "9th. McCauley cleared. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, open." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it morning." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see putting in the horse. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his too. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a the very letters. But what is this written above them?' what do you think they found in the pockets?" street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "Absolutely none." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute drove away. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "But what is it you wish?" approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other the coronet in his hands?" had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with towards the blaze. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What beg that you will break it off." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." ordinary clothes on?" the night.' "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have to tackle the facts." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that the best of training." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "You have it, sir, just as it happened." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that the loss of it. know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting 1.E.9. they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "You were travelling in the States?" There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. Holmes." think you a quite exceptional woman." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "A client, then?" the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a quickly through a disagreeable task. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "Stoke Moran?" said he. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "No, I had a dozen." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "I am sure." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "I cannot as yet see any connection." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider tension within him. said he at last. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He up this clue while it is still hot." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the have had none more fantastic than this." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in or in danger--" English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "Thank you. And your address?" brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found stammered. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I read over the extraordinary announcement. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "'Is purely nominal.' o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his call for protection in the marriage market, for the present families. Now for the facts. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "My dear Holmes!" my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "May I see it?" have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever suspect him." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from