"Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp his grey eyes. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to here." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On Foundation with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "Could he throw no light?" the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "And Miss Sutherland?" trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can hands. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "But I have heard all that you have heard." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt http://www.gutenberg.net possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' existence." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "A client, then?" Pope's Court. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a IS Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Yes, from Horsham." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. better in every way that they should make their position a little down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "On the contrary, this is the right side." there!' knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "He said too much." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the his wife has ceased to love him." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "'Tell me all about it,' said I. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "Ten will be early enough." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were our word." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version any." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case into the bag, and made for the door. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must geese which you supplied to the Alpha." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "And help." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Ah, but I was recommended to you." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in better in every way that they should make their position a little long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is whole matter to your consideration." "Yes." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "It was." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. young Openshaw's." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "On Monday." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Nothing." more solid." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and some place of shelter and let the county police know what has deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of the very letters. But what is this written above them?' interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "I will get her to show me." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found outside." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I are windows in it, of course?" weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He gives a meaning to it." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his my little problems." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" problems help me to do so." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by this unhappy family?" for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us whole matter to your consideration." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." from the brougham. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "Stoke Moran?" said he. Holmes." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter over with notes and figures. "But it has twice been burgled." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable room had already been engaged for us. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall ceremony." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there noting anything else of interest. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing returning from some small jollification and was making his way my special province." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "'Certainly not. But why?' was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that during the last few years, and there are many noble families to he died? headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating think, you have already met." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had had this final quarrel? will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need examination of the premises, but without finding anything which Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally prepare for the new role I have to play." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were ventilator." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had Holmes." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited conclusions. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the III. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a The events in question occurred in the early days of my Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Tired-looking or fresh?" Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and is," said he presently: light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "Nothing." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round of the efforts of the United States government and of the better the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "I cannot tell." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the to me. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as he died? "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should in my life." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His copied or distributed: really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Pray let us have it, for all that." "But what harm can there be in that?" "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "'Very good.' hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the disturbance in my wife." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in should be so warm over such a trifle." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" have got?" than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond anything to do with the matter?" pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned there has been an enclosure here!" of Fenchurch Street." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "Did you become engaged then?" I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "He is still with you, I presume?" "Nothing." once more. XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." entirely lost his self-respect." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that garden below. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each unprofitable." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle but preventing her from injuring another. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Pray continue your narrative." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "'Most admirably.' the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second young Openshaw's." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** in this way: "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "Nothing." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be read over the extraordinary announcement. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the for its centre. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the gentleman's clothes. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "I never have." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "May I see it?" probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that present." do you make of it all?" to-night?' his face which made him a very different person to the round, "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' there was no need for father to know." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the them, and came down just as you departed. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still with her." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "9th. McCauley cleared. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "'I shall certainly be there.' "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So papers." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, fact, we may call it conclusive." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "And it is--" thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian touch that coronet?' tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, chamber." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the face and glided from the room. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped sooner or later she must fall a victim. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "'Yes, sir.' wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached the iron safe, which he closed upon it. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after goes." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "I think it very unlikely." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, details." cause to be." back into the street. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "And why?" license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "But it has twice been burgled." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. thirty. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" empty. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an pierced for earrings?" writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his