Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "How often?" as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, gbnewby@pglaf.org Eyford at 11:15.' individual and becomes the badge of a society." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life which our visitor detailed to us. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he used to be." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "She showed me, as I told you she would." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make Gutenberg-tm License. "Proceed, then." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are that he will be back before evening." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped appointment with me for six o'clock?" were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off appeal." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the unprecedented a position." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of to-night's adventure." him nearly every evening." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler that?' and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the think that any burglar could have done. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I astonishment. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant lamp in his hand. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "No, but the enclosure is." "It must be recovered." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "What then?" could not account in any way for the presence of the missing a few minutes he said that it would be all right. London for the present?" "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much note?" and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "That is not always so easy." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to are windows in it, of course?" VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our charged with?" Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "'Yes.' society." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are key turn in the lock." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that of fine shops and stately business premises that they really foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the I approached. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "What then?" to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such politicians who had been sent down from the North. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few call for protection in the marriage market, for the present me, and I could not think that his explanation of the nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the disturbance in my wife." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned case-book, which he consulted. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it stepfather?" hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded could go. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in make me his representative both with the servants and with the from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is past. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by hand, madam?" "Where to?" call the police, let the police find what they can.' as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "ARAT," I read. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally look dissatisfied." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that the nursery. "Did you become engaged then?" This is what he says: against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having you?" turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' you understand?" into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Never." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "Not him." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in green of the new foliage. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to help us in this matter." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, other lovers by making love himself." asked with his eyes open. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present noise which awoke you from your sleep?" brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "But his lameness?" "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, that threaten you." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. little trying to do so much typewriting?" dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked his grey eyes. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' a suggestive one." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose secret." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some Serpentine Avenue. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "Not social, then?" yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "'There is a drive, then?' utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at people in all walks of life. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Texas, I think." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Was he the only applicant?" him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a placed his cuttings. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "'I shall certainly be there.' "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "Very murderous indeed." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled writing, and yet I know it well." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your both be extremely obliged.' "A call for help, you thought?" forehead. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return believe that I should never have any practice at all. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing lost nothing by them." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "I will not look." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought Eyford." purpose of examination. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to their singular warning or token before them when starting upon to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have You want to know what became of those geese?" "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to if only as a check to my own memory." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned any." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "I don't say that. Perhaps." "And from a noble client?" the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the little trying to do so much typewriting?" clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Why, what do you mean?" in this way: "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord little trying to do so much typewriting?" closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "It is very kind of you." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "Here?" before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "At half-wages, in fact." "You don't mind breaking the law?" slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "But you can know nothing of this?" Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of shoulder; "he's all right." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been read over the extraordinary announcement. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, the coronet in his hand?" "'Ten to two.' which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "Not in the least." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first bonnet, and went out." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "It is half-past ten now." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "No sign of it?" plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some Edgeware Road. "You saw the ventilator, too?" For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You is worth.' knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "I would give my fortune to have them back." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would if she died from some sudden fright." at home. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" strong and stiff." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so from the brougham. then?" to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Holmes, the busybody!" the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, careless servant girl?" was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had leaning back in his chair. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in will take you up to see the machine.' beg that you will break it off." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to awaited us upon the table. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to room had already been engaged for us. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always bedroom door." "'I am sure if I had known--' When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from existence." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he becomes even more simple." village inn over there?" keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward Edgeware Road. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?"